The Hirschberg test is used to evaluate which aspect of vision?

• A. Color vision.
• B. Ocular alignment.
• C. Peripheral vision.
• D. Visual acuity.

Answer: (B)

The Hirschberg test assesses ocular alignment by evaluating the corneal light reflex. When eyes are properly aligned, the corneal light reflex falls in roughly the same position on both corneas, centered in each pupil. If one eye is misaligned, the reflex shifts away from the center in that eye, signaling strabismus. This makes it a quick, useful screening tool in infants and uncooperative children to decide if more precise tests of alignment are needed.

Color vision, peripheral vision, and visual acuity are tested with other methods—color vision with color plates, peripheral vision with confrontation fields, and visual acuity with charts like Snellen.