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Corneal reflex

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The corneal reflex that is dependent on the integrity of the Vth and the VIIth cranial nerves.

Method:

  • distract the patient by asking them to gaze upwards.
  • lightly touch the cornea with a wisp of cotton wool, bringing the wool from the side of the eye.

Interpretation of results:

  • reflex blinking of both eyes - normal
  • patient can feel the touch of the cotton wool - via the ophthalamic division of the trigeminal nerve - but there is no reflex blink - via facial nerve innervation of orbicularis oculi muscles. This indicates facial nerve palsy.
  • unable to feel touch of cotton wool - indicates trigeminal nerve palsy.

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