Accuracy and precision of small saccades
Martina Poletti1,2,3, Janis Intoy4,5,6, Michele Rucci4,5
1Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA. martina_poletti@urmc.rochester.edu.
Scientific Reports
|October 1, 2020
Summary
Even tiny eye movements, known as microsaccades, are highly accurate at directing gaze. This study reveals their precision in centering visual stimuli on the retina, aiding understanding of oculomotor control.
Area of Science:
- Oculomotor behavior
- Neuroscience
- Vision science
Background:
- Fine oculomotor behavior, including microsaccades, is crucial for visual perception.
- Previous research has advanced understanding of microsaccade mechanisms and functions.
- A precise evaluation of the accuracy and precision of small saccades was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rigorously assess the accuracy and precision of the smallest saccades.
- To understand how effectively these fine eye movements shift gaze.
- To elucidate the motor underpinnings of microsaccades.
Main Methods:
- Employed high-resolution eye-tracking technology.
- Utilized gaze-contingent control paradigms.
- Examined saccades toward targets with varying eccentricities.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that small saccades (as small as 14 arcminutes) effectively center stimuli on the retina.
- Found that saccade probability correlates with the reduction of foveal offset for a given target eccentricity.
- Results align with existing models of microsaccade generation.
Conclusions:
- Small saccades are highly precise and accurate in directing visual attention.
- The motor control of microsaccades is driven by the need to minimize foveal visual error.
- This study provides critical data for understanding oculomotor control and visual processing.
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