How to Evaluate the Oculocephalic Reflex in a Dog | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Videos

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April 2025

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education video, we demonstrate how to evaluate the oculocephalic reflex in a dog. This reflex, also called the “doll’s eye reflex”, is a mainstay of ophthalmic and neurological evaluations. It is easy to perform and provides information about the function of the brainstem, vestibular system, and the extraocular muscles and nerves. 

This simple evaluation assesses for appropriate globe movement in response to head movement. The head is moved dorsally, ventrally, left and right while the patient’s gaze is evaluated. A positive response (appropriate response) is to maintain a fixed gaze position on a center of interest (often this is you!). When the head is elevated and neck extended, the globes will move ventrally to maintain their fixed gaze on the object of interest. When the head is lowered and neck flexed ventrally, the globes should elevate dorsally to maintain their fixed gaze. When the head is moved to the left and right (side to side), the globes will move medially or laterally to maintain their fixed central gaze. 

Want to learn more about performing an ophthalmic examination? Check out this blog by VETgirl’s ophthalmologist, Shelby Reinstein, DVM, DACVO HERE 

Are you working with a cat and concerned they may have neurological disease? Check out this webinar on feline neurological disease HERE. 

 

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