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Related Experiment Videos

Eccentric fixation with macular scotoma.

S G Whittaker1, J Budd, R W Cummings

  • 1Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia 19141.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|February 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

People with macular scotoma experience slower visual scanning. Fixation variability increases with scotoma size, but steady fixation is possible with scotomas under 20 degrees.

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Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience
  • Vision Science

Background:

  • Individuals with macular scotoma exhibit slower reading and visual scanning compared to those with similar visual acuity but intact central vision.
  • Fixation variability and centripetal eye drift are potential contributors to reduced visual performance in macular scotoma.
  • These factors may hinder consistent use of optimal retinal loci outside the macula.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the characteristics of eye movements during eccentric fixation in individuals with macular scotoma.
  • To determine the contribution of fixation variability and eye drift to visual performance deficits.
  • To explore the relationship between scotoma size and fixation stability.

Main Methods:

  • Monocular horizontal and vertical eye movements were recorded using a search coil eyetracker.
  • Subjects with natural or simulated central scotomata eccentrically fixated a single character.
  • Eye drift patterns and fixation variability were analyzed in relation to scotoma size and fixation conditions.

Main Results:

  • No ubiquitous foveal pursuit or centripetal drift was observed; drift patterns were idiosyncratic.
  • Eye drift speeds were generally too low to be functionally significant.
  • Fixation variability increased with scotoma size, particularly when diameters exceeded 20 degrees.
  • A significant minority (39%) adopted multiple preferred retinal loci (PRLs), especially with larger scotomas.

Conclusions:

  • Reasonably steady fixation is achievable when central scotoma sizes are less than approximately 20 degrees.
  • The macula may play a specialized role in controlling slow eye movements.
  • Fixation stability is significantly impacted by scotoma size, influencing the potential for multiple preferred retinal loci.