Eye Movements in Reading

Abstract

The primary characteristics of eye movements (fixations, saccades, and regressions) during reading are described. Much of the emphasis is on skilled reading, but the eye movement characteristics of beginning readers and dyslexic readers are also discussed. Research findings on the following topics are also discussed: (a) the size of the perceptual span (or area of effective vision) during a fixation in reading; (b) integration of information across eye fixations in reading; (c) eye movement control—where to fixate next; and (d) eye movement control—when to move the eyes.