How do we assess Extraocular Movements during the examination?

Assessing extraocular movements is an important aspect of a comprehensive eye examination. The "H assessment" effectively evaluates the coordination and movement of the eyes by having the patient follow a target in the shape of the letter 'H'. This technique allows the examiner to observe the smoothness and coordination of the eye movements in multiple directions—up, down, left, and right—thereby assessing the function of the extraocular muscles and any potential cranial nerve issues.

The other options serve different purposes. The confrontation test is primarily used to assess a patient's peripheral vision rather than the movement of the eyes. The visual field test also focuses on peripheral vision and does not directly evaluate eye movement. The direct pupillary reflex test assesses the response of the pupils to light and does not evaluate extraocular muscle function. Hence, the H assessment is the most appropriate method for assessing extraocular movements.