The optical reflex, on the other hand, is slower and is mediated by the visual cortex, which resides in the occipital lobe of the brain.

The examination of the corneal reflex is a part of some neurological exams, particularly when evaluating coma, such as FOUR score.

Damage to the ophthalmic branch (V1) of the trigeminal nerve results in absent corneal reflex when the affected eye is stimulated.

When awake, the lids spread the tear secretions over the corneal surface, on a typical basis of 2 to 10 seconds (though this may vary individually).

Blinking is often concurrent with a shift in gaze, and it is believed that this helps the movement of the eye.