Increment-threshold spectral sensitivity during saccadic eye movements in uniform visual field

Abstract

We measured increment-threshold spectral sensitivity functions during saccades, immediately after saccades and during fixation. A uniform white background field which covered observer’s whole visual field prevented any retinal masking effects. Visual sensitivity was degraded during saccades or after saccades. The reduction in sensitivity depended upon the wavelength of the test stimulus. The spectral sensitivity function during fixation produced a broad smooth curve in the middle and long wavelength region, while saccades caused a prominent dip around 570 nm. This finding indicates that saccadic suppression, which cannot be attributed to retinal masking, has more effect on the achromatic channel than the chromatic channel. The role of central and retinal processes dealing with the perceptual clearness and stableness across saccades will be discussed.