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Fine Eye Movements during Inattention

Abstract

RECORDING by numerous observers1 during steady visual fixation has shown a highly typical pattern of fine eye movements (Fig. 1) invariably present, beyond voluntary control, and consisting of three components: rapid saccades (flicks); slow drift and waves; and fine fast tremor. While these movements are usually related to a control mechanism for keeping the eyes on target2, some feel that they play a greater part in visual function3, especially since an artificially stopped retinal image disappears to perception4, and since there is an evoked occipital response correlated with saccadic movements5.

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References

  1. Ditchburn, R. W., and Ginsborg, B. L., J. Physiol., 119, 1 (1953). Riggs, L. A., Armington, J. C., and Ratliff, F., J. Opt. Soc. Amer., 44, 315 (1954).

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  2. Cornsweet, T. N., J. Opt. Soc. Amer., 46, 987 (1956). Fender, D. M., and Nye, P. W., Kybernetik, 1, 81 (1961). Young, L. R., and Stark, L., Inst. Rad. Eng. Trans., HFE-4, 38 (1963).

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  3. Marshall, W. H., and Talbot, S. A., Biol. Symp., 7, 117 (1942). Ditchburn, R. W., Yearbook of the Physical Society, 66 (1959). Gaarder, K., Brit. J. Physiol. Opt., 20, 1 (1963).

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  4. Ditchburn, R. W., and Ginsborg, B. L., Nature, 170, 36 (1952). Riggs, L. A., Ratliff, F., Cornsweet, J. C., and Cornsweet, T. N., J. Opt. Soc. Amer., 43, 495 (1953).

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  5. Gaarder, K., Krauskopf, J., Graf, V., Kropfl, W., and Armington, J. C., Science, 146, 1481 (1964).

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GAARDER, K. Fine Eye Movements during Inattention. Nature 209, 83–84 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/209083a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/209083a0

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