What does an abnormal corneal reflex indicate?

An abnormal corneal reflex may indicate either fifth nerve afferent disease (ipsilateral stimulation results in neither a direct nor consensual eye blink) or seventh nerve efferent disease (ipsilateral stimulation results in a brisk consensual but no direct response).

What does a positive corneal reflex mean?

Purpose. examination of corneal reflex is part of some neurological tests. The corneal reflex, also known as the blink reflex or eyelid reflex, is an involuntary blinking of the eyelids elicited by stimulation of the cornea (such as by touching or by a foreign body), though could result from any peripheral stimulus.

What causes loss of corneal reflex?

The corneal reflex may be slowed in various disorders affecting the trigeminal nerve, ganglion, or brain stem nuclei; these include posterior fossa and cerebellopontine angle tumors, multiple sclerosis, and brain stem strokes (especially Wallenberg’s syndrome).

What happens when the corneal light reflex is normal?

Patient with normal alignment and corneal light reflex. If there is normal alignment, the reflection will appear in the same position in each pupil. If there is misalignment of the eyes, the location of the corneal reflex will appear asymmetric and “off center” of the pupil in the deviating eye.

How is a misalignment of the eye detected in an infant?

Misalignment of the eyes is most easily detected in infants by observation of the corneal light reflex (Figure 2a). Displacement of the light reflex from the center of the pupil, or asymmetry, demonstrates abnormal alignment if the infant is fixating on the light and the observer is directly behind the light.

When to have a corneal alignment test done?

Multiple studies, but with various design flaws, giving conflicting results; expert opinions vary General consensus is that corneal light reflex and fix and follow should be checked starting by three months of age, and more specific alignment testing is beneficial after about three years of age

How does an eye doctor check for corneal conditions?

Eye doctors can check for corneal conditions as part of a comprehensive eye exam. The exam is simple and painless. Learn what to expect from a comprehensive dilated eye exam To check for corneal abrasions (scratches), your eye doctor may use a special type of eye drops called fluorescein dye.