silmäliikkeet

Silmäliikkeet, also known as eye movements, are the motions the eyes make. These movements are crucial for vision, allowing us to scan our environment, track moving objects, and focus on specific details. There are several types of eye movements, each serving a distinct purpose.

Saccades are rapid, ballistic movements that shift our gaze from one point to another. These are responsible for our ability to read by jumping from word to word, or to scan a room for a familiar face. During saccades, vision is suppressed, a phenomenon called saccadic masking, so we don't perceive the blur of movement.

Smooth pursuit movements allow us to follow a moving object. When watching a car drive by or a bird fly, our eyes execute smooth pursuit to keep the object in focus. If the object stops, our eyes might make a small saccade to re-fixate on it.

Vergence movements are coordinated movements of both eyes in opposite directions. Convergence occurs when we look at something close, causing our eyes to turn inward. Divergence happens when we look at something far away, causing our eyes to turn outward. These movements ensure that we maintain binocular vision, which is essential for depth perception.

Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is an automatic reflex that stabilizes gaze during head movements. When our head turns, our VOR causes our eyes to move in the opposite direction and at the same speed, keeping our visual world stable.

Involuntary micro-saccades, also known as fixational eye movements, are tiny, rapid movements that occur even when we are trying to fixate on a single point. These help to prevent sensory adaptation and maintain the clarity of the retinal image. Studying these various silmäliikkeet provides insight into the complex mechanisms of vision and visual attention.