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Human Horizontal Optokinetic Nystagmus Elicited by the Upper Versus the Lower Visual Fields

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

C. M. Murasugi  and
I. P. Howard
C. M. Murasugi
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, York University, Canada
I. P. Howard
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, York University, Canada Institute for Space and Terrestial Science, Human Performance Laboratory, York University, Canada
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Abstract

A 30-deg-high horizontally rotating random-dot display was presented to the central field, and with its more central edge at vertical eccentricities of 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 deg above or below the horizon. Stimulus velocities of 25–100 deg/s and two directions of motion were presented. The mean gain of the slow phases of optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) for five subjects was significantly higher when the stimulus was presented to the lower visual field than when the stimulus was presented to the upper field. This difference was most pronounced when the display was displaced 5 deg from the fovea and moving below 100 deg/s. Our results are consistent with existing psychophysical and physiological evidence for the superiority of the upper retina. In addition, four of the five observors showed significant directional asymmetries.

Keywords

Eye movementsOptokinetic nystagmusVisual fieldsDirectional asymmetries
Type
Research Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , January 1989 , pp. 73 - 79
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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