Characteristics of saccades and vergence in two kinds of sequential looking tasks

Vision Res. 2000;40(16):2083-90. doi: 10.1016/s0042-6989(00)00063-8.

Abstract

We determined how saccades were used in the experiments described in Epelboim, Steinman, Kowler, Edwards, Pizlo, Erkelens and Collewijn (1995) [Vision Research, 35, 3401-3422], where unrestrained subjects looked at or tapped nearby targets. We report: (i) the size of binocular saccades; (ii) how well saccade size matched in the two eyes; and (iii) saccadic vergence. A representative sample (3375 saccades) was measured: 83% were <15 degrees, 53% were <5 degrees. Only two were 'microsaccades'. Saccade sizes were very similar in the two eyes. These results imply that subjects prefer avoiding large saccades. They can do this simply by re-orienting the head appropriately. Subjects under-verged by 25-35% and preformed well. None experienced diplopia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Convergence, Ocular / physiology*
  • Head Movements / physiology
  • Humans
  • Mathematics
  • Saccades / physiology*
  • Vision, Binocular / physiology