Silmäliikkeiden

Silmäliikkeiden, often translated as eye movements, refers to the involuntary and voluntary motions of the eyes. These movements are crucial for vision, enabling us to scan our environment, track moving objects, and focus on details. There are several types of eye movements, each serving a distinct purpose. Saccades are rapid, ballistic movements that shift the gaze from one point of interest to another. They allow us to quickly acquire new visual information. Smooth pursuit movements enable us to track a moving object smoothly, keeping its image stable on the retina. Vergence movements involve the eyes converging (turning inward) or diverging (turning outward) to maintain single binocular vision, especially when looking at objects at different distances.

Reflexive eye movements are also essential. Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) stabilizes gaze during head movements by moving the eyes in the opposite direction of the head turn. Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) occurs when the eyes follow a large, slowly moving visual pattern, like looking out a train window, and then rapidly "snap back" to a new position. These movements are controlled by complex neural pathways involving the brainstem, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. Disruptions in eye movements can be indicative of various neurological conditions, vision impairments, or developmental disorders, making their study important in both ophthalmology and neurology.