How to Use a Pen Light to Assess the Eye

The penlight is used to make a pupillary assessment to check for eyesight issues or head trauma.

Penlights are used mainly by emergency room doctors and optometrists to make a pupillary assessment of the patient's eyes to check cognitive signs. The penlight has been used for decades to ensure there is no damage to the patient's eyes and/or brain. There are very specific things that you should be watching out for and paying attention to and to get all of the information you need to make an educated decision. It will be very difficult for the patent not to blink during these examinations.

Things You'll Need

• Penlight

Instructions

1. Look at the patient's eyes before beginning the penlight assessment. Note how large the pupils are before beginning, and if there is any swelling around the area, such as swelling on the cheek, eye, eyebrow, or lid. Also take note of how bright the room is.

2. Give the patient a focal point right in front of them, such as your finger. Ask them to look straight at it and to not look away for the duration of the penlight assessment.

3. Turn the penlight on and sweep it underneath the right eye and up, as if you are curving around the bottom right hand corner of the pupil. Keep the penlight from shining directly in the pupil. There should be a brief constriction of the pupil in response to the sudden light. If the pupil doesn't respond, or if it's enlarged, this indicates a problem.

4. Repeat on the left side. Make sure you provide the focal point again, and tell the patient not to blink while you are administering the assessment. Make notes of anything you will need to bring up at the doctor's office before you go.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use this test and information as a substitute for medical attention.

• Always consult a professional before coming up with your own diagnoses.

References

• Washington Medical Colleges: The Eye Examination