Age dependent normative data of vertical and horizontal reflexive saccades

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Human Physiology

Background:

• The effect of aging on saccades, a type of rapid eye movement, is debated.
• Establishing normative data for saccadic characteristics across different age groups is crucial for clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify age-related characteristics of reflexive saccades using a standardized setup.
• To establish a normative cohort for saccadic measurements.
• To investigate the feasibility of saccadometry in routine ophthalmological practice.

Main Methods:

• One hundred healthy participants aged 6–76 years underwent ophthalmologic examination and saccadometry.
• Infrared video-oculography at 220 Hz was used to measure saccadic peak velocity, gain, and latency.
• Reflexive saccades were evoked in four directions with three target displacements (5°/15°/30° horizontally; 5°/10°/20° vertically).

Main Results:

• Saccadic peak velocity and gain showed no significant age-related effects, but correlated with target displacement eccentricity.
• Saccadic latency decreased during childhood and adolescence, remained stable in adulthood, and showed a slight increase in the elderly.
• Saccades were more precise with smaller target displacements; isometric and hypometric saccades were most common. Saccadometry was feasible for children and the elderly within 10 minutes.

Conclusions:

• Normative data for saccadic peak velocity and gain can be used independently of age, considering target displacement.
• Saccadic latency is age-dependent, particularly showing changes during developmental and aging phases.
• Video-oculography-based saccadometry is a feasible and efficient tool for ophthalmological practice across a wide age range.