Oculomotor functions in reading disability.

Abstract

Oculomotor functions and information processing systems from a complex interaction in the achievement of reading skills, This study was designed to determine the relation between oculomotor functions and reading ability in fourth and sixth grade children. Four oculomotor functions were measured during the reading of digits and prose. The oculomotor functions were used independently and collectively to predict reading ability under both reading conditions. These relations were then examined with and without removal of the influence of verbal intelligence. The results indicate that when examined collectively, oculomotor functions are related to reading ability, but when oculomotor functions are examined independently, only marginally significant relations appear. Similar relations were found for both age groups. Verbal intelligence influenced some of the individual relations. The individual oculomotor functions that appeared responsible for the collective relation were frequency of fixations and lag of accommodation. A reciprocal-causation model between reading ability and oculomotor functions is proposed.