This complete enumeration, cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 62 (29 females; 46.77% and 33 males; 53.23%) first-year MBBS students of a municipal medical college. After explaining the purpose of the study and orienting students about the OSPE procedure and its marking system, written informed consent was obtained from those willing to participate in the study. In the traditional practical examination (TPE), each student tested near and distant vision, which was followed by viva voce on the same procedure and overall marks (out of 20) were allotted by the examiners. During the OSPE, the examiners were provided with a pre-validated checklist containing 10 steps each for examining near vision and distant vision. These examinations were to be carried out within an allotted time of 5 minutes each. One mark was given for correct performance of each step mentioned in the checklist. The maximum marks obtainable were 20 marks - 10 marks each for testing near vision and distant vision. The difference in the overall mean TPE and OSPE scores was highly significant (Z=11.79; p<0.00001). However, the gender difference in mean scores in both TPE and OSPE was not significant. While testing near vision, 69.35% students ensured adequate lighting in the room while 79.03% students tested visual acuity both with and without glasses for subjects who wear glasses. While testing for distant vision, only 24.19% students enquired whether the subject had been prescribed glasses earlier. Thus, for these three OSPE steps, the difference in scores while testing for near and distant vision was statistically significant. Students obtaining relatively lower scores would require remedial training. A larger study would be necessary in order to generalize the results.