Abstract: A feedback apparatus for physical examinations, particularly for optical devices used to examine the eyes, provides an examinee with a signal that tells the examinee whether or not he or she is maintaining the proper examination position. A headrest has a pressure or proximity sensitive sensor for enabling and disabling an annunciator producing a signal such as light or sound. In an optical viewer, the signal can be provided by controlled operation of a point light source on which the examinee is expected to focus. The switch can be a membrane switch mounted on a forehead stop. The examinee can perceive whether his or her head is positioned in the proper examination position. Moreover, when used as a fixation point, the examinee's attention remains fixed on the annunciation signal. The examinee (patient) need not be reminded by the physician to move back into place if the examinee inadvertently withdraws from positive pressure against the headrest.