Voluntary saccadic eye movements

• Voluntary saccadic eye movements - Area testing:

  • Looks at ability to move eyes between fixed targets quickly and accurately
  • Happens before movement
  • Enables object of interest to be focused on fovea (voluntary control)
• Voluntary saccadic eye movements - Instructions:

  • In sitting, ask patient to keep head still
  • Move eyes from one fixed target to another e.g. examiners two thumbs held up a comfortable distance in front, about shoulder width apart
  • Also up and down
  • *On questioning, patient may report: blurred or unstable vision, dizziness, nausea
• Voluntary saccadic eye movements - Outcome:

  • Both eyes should both move together rapidly between targets