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Updated: May 19, 2026

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Using Eye-tracking to Assess the Relative Importance of Visual and Vestibular Input to Subcortical Motion Processing in the Roll Plane
Published on: August 22, 2025
Eye proprioception may provide real time eye position information
1Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China.
Summary
This review examines the role of eye proprioception in real-time eye position monitoring, challenging the traditional view that only corollary discharge is involved. It explores how proprioception might contribute to spatial perception and navigation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Accurate spatial perception and navigation rely on continuous knowledge of eye position.
- Two signals, corollary discharge and eye proprioception, are implicated in determining eye position.
- Their respective roles in online eye position monitoring have been debated for over a century.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing evidence regarding the function of eye proprioception in online eye position monitoring.
- To discuss the feasibility and potential contributions of proprioceptive signals to spatial cognition.
- To challenge the long-held view that only corollary discharge provides real-time eye position information.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of behavioral and physiological studies.
- Analysis of theoretical models of eye position processing.
- Synthesis of evidence supporting or refuting the role of eye proprioception in online monitoring.
Main Results:
- The traditional view posits corollary discharge as the sole online eye position signal.
- Eye proprioception has been traditionally assigned a role in long-term oculomotor calibration.
- Emerging evidence suggests a potential role for eye proprioception in real-time eye position monitoring.
Conclusions:
- The functional role of eye proprioception in online eye position monitoring warrants further investigation.
- Proprioceptive signals may contribute to spatial perception and behavioral navigation.
- Re-evaluating the contribution of eye proprioception could refine our understanding of oculomotor control and spatial cognition.
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