Swinging Light Test
February 15th, 2021
Overview
The swinging eye test is used to assess for a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD), a sign of an asymmetric pathology affecting the pupillary reflex pathway.
How to Elicit
- Shine a light into one eye, swing it into the other eye, and so on back and forth.
Interpretation
- An RAPD is present if the affected eye dilates, or constricts briefly followed by dilatation.
Causes of Relative Afferent Pupillary Defect
- Intraocular haemorrhage
- Retinal detachment
- Optic or oculomotor nerve lesion
- Midbrain lesion
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