Characteristics of human saccadic eye movements in different directions.

Abstract

Saccadic human eye movements in different directions were recorded by an infrared technique. Disturbances by movements of the eyelids are prevented by means of a plaster pulling down the lower lid. The peak values of the velocity, acceleration, deceleration, and the duration of the saccades were drawn in a direction diagram. Each eye has its specific diagram. The shape of the diagram is independent of the saccadic amplitude. There are directions in which the values are equal for eccentric and centric saccades and those, in which significant differences are to be found. In the latter case centric saccades are faster than the eccentric ones.