Smooth Pursuit

Smooth Pursuit

Smooth pursuit eye movements allow the eyes to closely follow a moving object. It is one of two ways that visual animals can voluntarily shift gaze, the other being saccadic eye movements. Pursuit differs from the vestibulo-ocular reflex, which only occurs during movements of the head and serves to stabilize gaze on a stationary object. Most people are unable to initiate pursuit without a moving visual signal. The pursuit of targets moving with velocities of greater than 30°/s tend to require catch-up saccades. Smooth pursuit is asymmetric: most humans and primates tend to be better at horizontal than vertical smooth pursuit, as defined by their ability to pursue smoothly without making catch-up saccades. Most humans are also better at downward than upward pursuit. Pursuit is modified by ongoing visual feedback.

Read more about Smooth Pursuit:  Measurement, Neural Circuitry, Stages of Smooth Pursuit, Smooth Pursuit and Spatial Attention, Smooth Pursuit in The Absence of A Visual Target, Distinction Between Smooth Pursuit, Optokinetic Nystagmus, and Ocular Following Response, Smooth-pursuit Deficits

Famous quotes containing the words smooth and/or pursuit:

    The moderation of people in prosperity is the effect of a smooth and composed temper, owing to the calm of their good fortune.
    François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)

    I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman’s cares.
    George Washington (1732–1799)