New program on testing the functional integrity of ocular reflexes

The e-Media Unit has been working with Dr Raymond Macharia to design a Flash animation in which a virtual patient is provided to test pupillary (consensual) light reflex, palpebral and corneal reflexes as well as the testing nervous control of extra-ocular muscles of the eye. It is hoped that the use of a virtual patient will provide a safe way to observe and practice on a wide range of nerve or ocular deficits and also receive informative feedback.

The eye receives sensory and motor innervations to its extrinsic and intrinsic tissues through cranial nerves and the sympathetic trunk. The optic nerve is specific for vision while other ocular and extra-ocular structures transmit sensory modalities such as pain and pressure to the brain through the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Motor responses to sensory inputs are provided through the facial nerve, oculomotor, trochler and abduscent nerve. In addition the sympathetic trunk through the cranial cervical ganglia (CCG) supplies parasympathetic innervation to the ciliary muscles and glands around the eyeball.

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