Red reflex - Wikipedia Red reflex The red reflex refers to the reddish - orange reflection of light from the eye 's retina that is observed when using an ophthalmoscope or retinoscope from approximately 30 cm / 1 foot. This examination is usually performed in a dimly lit or dark room. Many eye problems may be detected by this test, such as : Cataracts - show leukocoria, or white coloration of the eye which may be from rubella or other maternal infections Retinoblastoma - shows leukocoria. Newborns are regularly screened for retinoblastomas with an ophthalmoscope ( see also : Retinoblastoma # Diagnosis ). According to Bates ' Guide to Physical Exams, retinal detachment would result in the absence of red reflex in the affected eye. Contents 1 Simultaneous red reflex test 2 See also 3 References 4 External links Simultaneous red reflex test The simultaneous red reflex test is used to view both reflexes at the same time. This can help determine if the patient has normal ocular alignment. In order to perform this test the patient and physician are normally approximately 2 to 3 feet away from each other. See also Red - eye effect Eyeshine Leukocoria Retinal birefringence scanning References Jump up ^ Pediatric eye exam and disease states, Mara Hover, DO. AT still University school of osteopathic medicine. November 2012. External links `` Red reflex examination in infants. Section on Ophthalmology. American Academy of Pediatrics. '' Pediatrics. 2002 May ; 109 ( 5 ) : 980 - 1. PMID 11986467. This article about the eye is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Eye : appearance phenomena of the eye Eyeshine Leukocoria Red - eye effect Red reflex by the eye Color appearance Abney effect Bezold -- Brücke shift Chromatic adaptation Purkinje effect Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red_reflex&oldid=781700717 '' Categories : Ophthalmology Eye stubs Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 22 May 2017, at 18 : 59. About Wikipedia

Question: what is the cause of the red reflex
Answer: reflection of light from the eye's retina