To evaluate the function of the extraocular muscles, which task would you perform?

To evaluate the function of the extraocular muscles, which task would you perform?

• A. Assess pupillary light reflex
• B. Instruct the patient to follow a moving object with their eyes
• C. Test distant visual acuity
• D. Check accommodation of the lens

Answer: (B)

The main goal is to assess how well the eye muscles move the eyeball in all directions and work together. To test this, you guide a moving target and have the patient follow it with their eyes, watching how smoothly the eyes track, how much movement is possible in each direction, and whether there is any drifting, hesitation, or misalignment. This directly checks the function of the extraocular muscles (the six muscles that move the eye) and the nerves that control them. Pupillary light reflex examines the nerves and pathways controlling the pupil, not the eye muscles themselves; distant visual acuity looks at clarity of vision rather than motor control; accommodation tests the eye’s ability to focus on near objects by engaging the lens and ciliary muscle, not the extraocular muscles.

The main goal is to assess how well the eye muscles move the eyeball in all directions and work together. To test this, you guide a moving target and have the patient follow it with their eyes, watching how smoothly the eyes track, how much movement is possible in each direction, and whether there is any drifting, hesitation, or misalignment. This directly checks the function of the extraocular muscles (the six muscles that move the eye) and the nerves that control them.

Pupillary light reflex examines the nerves and pathways controlling the pupil, not the eye muscles themselves; distant visual acuity looks at clarity of vision rather than motor control; accommodation tests the eye’s ability to focus on near objects by engaging the lens and ciliary muscle, not the extraocular muscles.