What does abnormal red reflex of eye mean?

An abnormal red reflex can result from mucus or other foreign bodies in the tear film, corneal opacities, aqueous opacities, iris abnormalities affecting the pupillary aperture (pupil), cataracts, vitreous opacities, and retinal abnormalities including tumors or chorioretinal colobomata.

What does red reflex indicate?

Examination of pupil reflections, also known as the red reflex text, can reveal problems in the cornea, lens and sometimes the vitreous, and is particularly useful in young children. These photographs show what can occur in the case of certain major eye conditions, the most serious of which is retinoblastoma.

What does asymmetric red reflex mean?

It is also used to detect opacities in the visual axis, such as a cataract or corneal abnormality. The inequality of red reflection in both the eyes indicates unequal refraction, indicating a refractive error.

Is red reflex in eye normal?

Right eye: the normal red reflex. Left eye: the absence of a red reflex is abnormal and could indicate a serious condition. Refer the child to a specialist.

What causes an abnormal red reflex in the eye?

abnormal red reflex may indicate retinoblastoma, congenital cataracts and congenital glaucoma, and so any abnormalities of the red reflex require immediate referral to the ophthalmologist via a medical practitioner.3, 4 Large retinal lesions or opacities anywhere in the eye from the cornea to the vitreous gel will produce an abnormal reflex.

Is it normal to have 2 red reflexes?

To be considered normal, the red reflex of the 2 eyes should be symmetrical. Dark spots in the red reflex, a blunted red reflex on 1 side, lack of a red reflex, or the presence of a white reflex (retinal reflection) are all indications for referral to an ophthalmologist.

How does cataract distort the normal red reflex?

Large cataracts are obvious on inspection. Smaller cataracts distort the normal red reflex when the direct ophthalmoscope is at arm’s length distance from the eye and a +12 to +20 lens is used. Genetic disorders and maternal drug exposure are important considerations when cataracts are the only abnormality.

When to see an ophthalmologist for a red reflex?

To be considered normal, a red reflex should emanate from both eyes and be symmetric in character. Dark spots in the red reflex, a markedly diminished reflex, the presence of a white reflex, or asymmetry of the reflexes (Bruckner reflex) are all indications for referral to an ophthalmologist who is experienced in the examination of children.