Understanding Eye Movements: Types and Functions

Six extraocular muscles control eye movements for distinct visual functions:

  • Saccades: Rapid, ballistic jumps between fixation points (reading, scanning).
  • Smooth pursuit: Slow tracking of moving objects.
  • Vergence: Convergence (near) / divergence (far) for depth focus.
  • Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR): Stabilizes gaze during head movement (eyes move opposite to head).
  • Optokinetic nystagmus: Tracks large moving fields (e.g., scenery from train).
  • Microsaccades/drift/tremor: Fixational movements preventing perceptual fading.

Disorders (nystagmus, palsies, INO) affect specific movement types, aiding neurological localization.

Laser Eye Surgery - Related Articles