Smooth Pursuit

Definition

Smooth pursuit is a type of eye movement that allows the eyes to smoothly track a moving object, keeping it centered on the fovea, the area of sharpest vision in the retina. This eye movement is essential for maintaining visual focus on a target as it moves across the visual field.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Smooth pursuit eye movements are controlled by the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, specifically the middle temporal (MT) and medial superior temporal (MST) areas.
2. Smooth pursuit is driven by the perceived motion of a target, and the velocity of the eye movement closely matches the velocity of the target.
3. Smooth pursuit is important for maintaining visual acuity during self-motion, such as when walking or driving a vehicle.
4. Impairment of smooth pursuit can be a symptom of various neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and schizophrenia.
5. Smooth pursuit eye movements develop gradually in children, with the ability to smoothly track moving objects emerging around 3-4 months of age.

Review Questions

• Describe the role of smooth pursuit eye movements in maintaining visual focus on a moving target.
  • Smooth pursuit eye movements allow the eyes to closely track a moving object, keeping it centered on the fovea, the area of sharpest vision in the retina. This is essential for maintaining visual acuity and clear focus on the target as it moves across the visual field. By smoothly following the target's motion, smooth pursuit eye movements prevent the image from blurring or becoming unstable on the retina, which would occur if the eyes were unable to match the target's velocity.
• Explain the neural control of smooth pursuit eye movements and how impairment of this system can affect visual function.
  • Smooth pursuit eye movements are controlled by the cerebellum and specific areas of the cerebral cortex, including the middle temporal (MT) and medial superior temporal (MST) areas. These regions process visual motion information and generate the neural signals that drive the eye muscles to smoothly track a moving target. Impairment of the neural pathways responsible for smooth pursuit, as seen in conditions like Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and schizophrenia, can lead to difficulties in maintaining visual focus on moving objects, which can significantly impact visual function and daily activities.
• Analyze the developmental timeline of smooth pursuit eye movements and discuss the importance of this skill for visual and motor development in children.
  • Smooth pursuit eye movements develop gradually in children, with the ability to smoothly track moving objects emerging around 3-4 months of age. The development of this skill is an important milestone, as smooth pursuit is crucial for maintaining visual acuity during self-motion and for coordinating visual and motor skills, such as catching a ball or following a moving toy. The gradual maturation of the neural pathways responsible for smooth pursuit reflects the complex integration of visual, oculomotor, and cognitive processes required for this type of eye movement. Impairments in the development of smooth pursuit can be an early indicator of underlying neurological or developmental issues, highlighting the importance of this skill for overall visual and motor development in children.

Related terms

Saccadic Eye Movements: Rapid, ballistic eye movements that shift gaze from one point of interest to another, used to acquire visual targets.

Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR): A reflex that stabilizes images on the retina during head movement by generating eye movements in the opposite direction to the head movement.

Optokinetic Nystagmus: A reflexive eye movement pattern consisting of smooth pursuit in the direction of visual motion, followed by a rapid saccadic movement in the opposite direction.