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Related Experiment Videos

The corneal reflex in elderly patients.

G S Rai, A Elias-Jones

    Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
    |July 1, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary

    The corneal reflex was often absent in elderly individuals, even without neurological conditions. Physicians should be cautious when interpreting a lack of this reflex in older patients.

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    Neuroradiology·2003

    Area of Science:

    • Ophthalmology
    • Neurology
    • Geriatrics

    Background:

    • The corneal reflex is a protective blink response to corneal stimulation.
    • Its absence can indicate neurological dysfunction, particularly cranial nerve issues.
    • Age-related changes may affect reflex sensitivity in the elderly population.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the prevalence of absent corneal reflexes in an elderly cohort.
    • To determine the association between absent corneal reflexes and cerebrovascular disease in the elderly.
    • To evaluate the diagnostic significance of an absent corneal reflex in geriatric patients.

    Main Methods:

    • A cohort of 115 elderly patients was assessed.
    • Corneal reflex testing was performed on all participants.
    • Patients were evaluated for the presence of neurological diseases, including cerebrovascular conditions.

    Main Results:

    • The corneal reflex was absent in 23.5% of the elderly patients studied.
    • A higher incidence of absent corneal reflexes was noted in patients with cerebrovascular disease.
    • A significant number of patients without diagnosed neurological disease also exhibited an absent corneal reflex.

    Conclusions:

    • The absence of a corneal reflex in elderly individuals is relatively common.
    • It should not be solely relied upon as an indicator of neurological disease in this population.
    • Clinical interpretation requires consideration of other neurological assessments and patient history.

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