Return eye movements, an ocular compensatory reflex in the alert cat and monkey

Abstract

Eye movements induced by ampullary nerve stimulation in the alert cat and monkey are biphasic in nature. The eyes initially deviate from their original position in the orbit in directions detailed in previous studies. The initial deviations are generally interrupted or followed by active movements in the opposite direction. These opposing movements are the subject of this report. They have been designated “return eye movements” since they tend to return the eyes toward or past their initial position in the orbit. They are a central oculomotor reflex. This reflex serves to maintain the visual angle in space by opposing sudden unexpected shifts of the retina and projected visual field. It also appears to coordinate compensatory head and eye movements during impulses of angular acceleration. The ease of eliciting this ocular reflex in the cat and monkey suggests that it plays an important role in ocular compensation in these animals and probably in man as well.