dogs startle reflex

Question
Could you please define startle reflex and explain how it affects a dog?

Answer
Startle reflex is perhaps a laymans term for a "menace response" which is simply an assessment of vision based on sudden movement of the hand towards the eye. If the patient blinks or backs away quickly that implies they are visual(partially or fully) in that particular eye. This is a normal response and does not affect the animal adversely.
Dr. G.