Approaching his eye from the side, out of his line of vision, lightly touch a thin strand of clean cotton (as from a cotton ball) to his cornea. Observe for blinking and tearing in that eye (direct corneal reflex). At the same time, observe whether his other eye blinks (consensual corneal reflex).

Why is a blink reflex test done?

Blink reflex studies are useful for assessing the pathway from the trigeminal nerve through the brainstem to the facial muscles. In this technique, the trigeminal nerve is stimulated at the supraorbital notch and both ipsilateral and contralateral responses are recorded from the facial nerve.

How is Palpebral reflex tested?

Palpebral reflex: Touch the medial canthus of the eye with a finger, cotton tip applicator, hemostat, or pen; the blink should be complete. Figure 3. Vibrissae response: Touch the upper lip; the patient may move the lip only or turn the head away.