The Broad H test is used in ophthalmology to assess eye movements.
What it’s for:
The Broad H test is used to assess eye movements in all cardinal positions of gaze.
How it’s done:
- The patient is asked to follow a target (like a pen or light) with their eyes.
- The target is moved in a broad H shape.
- The examiner observes the patient’s eye movements for any limitations or abnormalities as the patient looks up and down, left and right.
What it shows:
The test helps identify:
- Limitations in eye movement that can indicate problems with the extraocular muscles or nerves supplying them.
- Cranial nerve palsies like III, IV, or VI nerve palsies.
- Internuclear ophthalmoplegia (a disorder of eye movements).
- Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) or other abnormal eye movements.
The Broad H test is useful for detecting issues like strabismus or cranial nerve problems. It’s an important part of a comprehensive eye exam.