Ocular torsion on earth and in weightlessness.

Abstract

Ocular torsion (OT) was measured in human subjects during horizontal linear acceleration on a sled in the laboratory and when emerging from weightlessness during parabolic flights in NASA's KC-135 aircraft. Analysis of the frequency response of OT to sinusoidal horizontal oscillation on earth shows results consistent with constant tilt rate studies and with earlier models based on perception of acceleration. Step responses of OT to lateral acceleration are compared to similar profiles from aircraft tests with no preexisting gravitoinertial force on the otoliths. The sensitivity of OT to rotating wide fields producing vection and to tactile cues is compared for earth and weightlessness. A new instrument for high bandwidth video measurement of OT using a soft-contact-lens target is described.