Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Corneal reflex
Introduction
Corneal reflex, also known as the blink reflex, is an automated involuntary blinking of the eyelids elicited by stimulation (such as touching or a foreign body) of the eyeball’s cornea. Stimulation should elicit both a direct and consensual response. The evolutionary purpose of this reflex is to protect the eyes from foreign bodies.
The reflex is mediated by:
- the nasociliary branch of the ophthalmic branch (V1) of the 5th Cranial nerve (Trigeminal nerve) sensing the stimulus on the cornea,
- and the 7th Cranial nerve (Facial nerve) initiating the motor response.
Use of contact lenses may diminish or abolish this reflex.
The examination of the corneal reflex is a part of some neurological tests in particular the coma exam.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]