Hirschberg test is used for what clinical purpose?

• A. A test of color vision.
• B. A quick estimate of eye alignment by locating the corneal light reflex relative to the pupil center.
• C. A test of refractive error.
• D. A test of ocular motility range.

Answer: (B)

The Hirschberg test is a quick way to assess eye alignment in the primary position by looking at where the corneal light reflex falls relative to the pupil center. When eyes are properly aligned, the reflection sits near the center of each pupil. If one eye is misaligned, the reflex shifts away from the center in that eye, indicating a deviation. By comparing the two reflex positions, you get a rough estimate of the amount of misalignment, making it a fast screening tool for strabismus, especially in children. It’s not a test of color vision, refractive error, or the full range of ocular motility.