II. Indications
- Brainstem function testing in coma
III. Mechanism
- Afferent limb: Touch stimulates the V1 branch of the Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve 5)
- Reflex center: Pons in the Brainstem
- Efferent limb: Temporal and zygomatic arches of the Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve 7) close the Eyelids
IV. Technique
- Touch Cornea, lid or Conjunctiva with cotton whisp
- Alternative: Instill 5-10 cc Normal Saline by syringe over the surface of the Cornea
V. Interpretation: Expected response (normal)
- Results in a rapid, Blink Reflex in the exposed eye as well as the other eye (consensual response)
- Diminished reflex in those who use Contact Lenses
- Intact reflex suggests intact Brainstem function
VI. Resources
VII. References
- Degowin (1987) Diagnostic Examination, 5th ed, MacMillan Publishing Company, p. 810
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Related Studies
| Concepts | Organ or Tissue Function (T042) |
| MSH | D001767 |
| SnomedCT | 112219002 |
| English | Reflex, Corneal, corneal reflex, corneal reflexes, Corneal reflex, CR - Corneal reflex, Corneal reflex (observable entity), Corneal Reflexes |
| French | Réflexes cornéens, Réflexe cornéen |
| German | Reflex, Korneal- |
| Czech | rohovkový reflex, korneální reflex |
| Italian | Riflessi corneali |
| Norwegian | Refleks, hornhinne, Hornhinnerefleks, Refleks, korneal, Korneal refleks |
| Spanish | reflejo corneal (entidad observable), reflejo corneal, Reflejo Corneal |
| Portuguese | Reflexo Corneano |
Ontology: Blink Reflexes (C0596003)
| Concepts | Organ or Tissue Function (T042) |
| MSH | D001767 |
| SnomedCT | 82408006, 363829005 |
| English | Reflex, Blink, Reflexes, Blink, Optical blink reflex, blinking reflex, blink reflex, Blink reflex, Blink reflex (observable entity), Blink reflex finding (finding), Blink reflex finding, Blink Reflex, Eyeblink Reflex, Blink Reflexes |
| French | Réflexe de clignement, Réflexe opticopalpébral, Réflexe de clignotement à la menace, Réflexe de clignement à la menace |
| German | Reflex, Blinzel- |
| Czech | mrkací reflex, reflexní mrkání |
| Italian | Riflessi di ammiccamento |
| Norwegian | Blunkereflekser, Refleks, blunking |
| Spanish | reflejo de parpadeo (entidad observable), reflejo de parpadeo, reflejo óptico de parpadeo (hallazgo), reflejo óptico de parpadeo, Reflejo de Parpadeo |
| Portuguese | Reflexo de Piscar |
