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Updated: Aug 22, 2025
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Investigating the Deployment of Visual Attention Before Accurate and Averaging Saccades via Eye Tracking and Assessment of Visual Sensitivity
Published on: March 18, 2019
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Head Orientation Influences Saccade Directions during Free Viewing
Stephanie M Reeves1, Emily A Cooper2,3, Raul Rodriguez2
1Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, CA stephanie_reeves@berkeley.edu.
Eneuro
|November 9, 2022
Summary
Head orientation influences human saccadic eye movements, with biases aligning with head tilt. This suggests vestibular input plays a role in directing gaze, even when viewing natural scenes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Humans exhibit directional biases in saccadic eye movements, favoring horizontal and vertical directions.
- The influence of head orientation on these saccade direction biases is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether head orientation affects saccadic eye movement direction biases.
- To determine the role of vestibular information in saccade generation.
Main Methods:
- Participants (n=14) viewed images (natural scenes, fractals) via VR headset with eye tracking.
- Head and image orientations were manipulated (-30°, 0°, 30°).
- Saccade direction biases were analyzed using polar histograms and cross-correlation.
Main Results:
- Saccade biases largely followed head orientation during fractal viewing (24° displacement).
- A systematic 2.6° offset in saccade direction was observed, likely due to ocular counter roll.
- Head orientation continued to influence saccade directions when viewing Earth-upright natural scenes.
Conclusions:
- Head orientation significantly influences saccadic eye movement direction.
- Nonvisual cues, such as vestibular input regarding head position, are likely critical for saccade generation.
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