A new parent asks why a light is shined in the infant's eyes. The PNP tells the parent that the infant must be checked for a red reflex in each eye to rule out:

A new parent asks why a light is shined in the infant's eyes. The PNP tells the parent that the infant must be checked for a red reflex in each eye to rule out:

• A. Glaucoma
• B. Cataracts
• C. Strabismus
• D. Amblyopia

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the red reflex test checks the eye’s media for opacities that can block light from reaching the retina. When a light is shined into a normal infant’s eyes, you should see a bright, reddish reflection in each pupil from the retina. If a cataract is present, or another opacity, light cannot pass through as easily, so the reflex may be reduced, absent, or appear white (leukocoria). Detecting a white or absent reflex in one or both eyes signals a problem that needs urgent evaluation, most commonly congenital cataracts in this context. Glaucoma, strabismus, and amblyopia don’t typically present with an abnormal red reflex as the primary screening sign; they are identified by alignment issues, vision testing, or pressure/optic changes, not the reflex itself.

The main idea is that the red reflex test checks the eye’s media for opacities that can block light from reaching the retina. When a light is shined into a normal infant’s eyes, you should see a bright, reddish reflection in each pupil from the retina. If a cataract is present, or another opacity, light cannot pass through as easily, so the reflex may be reduced, absent, or appear white (leukocoria). Detecting a white or absent reflex in one or both eyes signals a problem that needs urgent evaluation, most commonly congenital cataracts in this context. Glaucoma, strabismus, and amblyopia don’t typically present with an abnormal red reflex as the primary screening sign; they are identified by alignment issues, vision testing, or pressure/optic changes, not the reflex itself.