In ophthalmology, the Hirschberg test, also Hirschberg corneal reflex test, is a screening test that can be used to assess whether a person has strabismus (ocular misalignment).

A photographic version of the Hirschberg is used to quantify strabismus.Eskridge JB, Wick B, Perrigin D. "The Hirschberg test: a double-masked clinical evaluation." Am J Optom Physiol Opt. 1988 Sep;65(9):745-50. PMID 3056019.

Technique

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It is performed by shining a light in the persons eyes and observing where the light reflects off of the corneas. In a person with normal ocular alignment the light lands on the centre of both corneas. For an abnormal result, based on where the light lands on the cornea, the examiner can detect if there is an exotropia (abnormal eye is turned out), esotropia (abnormal eye is turned in), hypertropia (abnormal eye higher than the normal one) or hypotropia (abnormal eye is lower than the normal one).

Interpretation

In exotropia the light lands on the medial aspect of the cornea. In esotropia the light lands on the lateral aspect of the cornea. In hypertropia the light lands on the inferior aspect of the cornea. In hypotropia the light lands on the superior aspect of the cornea.

Individuals can suffer from several tropias at once. In Graves ophthalmopathy, it is not uncommon to see an esotropia (due to pathology of the medial rectus muscle) co-morbid with a hypotropia (due to pathology of the inferior rectus muscle).

History

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The technique was developed by German ophthalmologist Julius Hirschberg who in 1886 used a candle to observe the light reflex in an eye with strabisums.Wheeler, M. "Objective Strabismometry in Young Children." Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 1942; 40: 547–564.

References

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See also

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• Eye examination
• Terms for anatomical location

External links

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• Picture of a child with strabismus - medem.com

Eponymous medical signs | Medical signs | Medical tests | Ophthalmology