Effect of Aging on Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement

Eye Movements of Younger and Older Drivers

“…When the older group viewed the stimulus, their foveal fixations encompassed a larger area of the stimulus relative to those of the younger adult group, indicating poorer peripheral vision. Similarly, other studies have found decreased peripheral vision or poorer visual tracking skills in older people [Olincy et al, 1997;Bono et al, 1996;Kline, 1994;Kanayama et al, 1994] Several studies have focused on more complex visual/attentional performance. For example, in an extensive series of papers, Ball and her associates [Ball et al, 1988;Ball and Owsley, 1991;Ball et al, 1993;Ball and Rebok, 1994] defined a useful field of view (UFOV) as the visual area from which information can be processed during a single fixation while a person is engaged in a foveal task.…”

Which duration of postsaccadic slowing identifies anticipatory saccades during smooth pursuit eye movements?

“…Three definitions provided similar effect sizes: leading saccades with a limited postsaccadic slowing criteria~1.45!, anticipatory saccades with a limited postsaccadic slowing criterioñ 1.54!, and anticipatory saccades with no postsaccadic slowing criterion~1.45!. Because of the notable effects of age on eye movement measures~Hutton et al, 1993;Kanayama et al, 1994;Kuech-enmeister et al, 1977;Larsby et al, 1988;Ross et al, 1998Ross et al, , 1999aSharpe & Sylvester, 1978;Spooner et al, 1980!, the initial comparisons were focused on younger adults~ages 18-40!. However, if a marker of genetic risk is to be optimally useful, it should usable over the broadest possible age range~Ross et al, 1999a!.…”

“…There has been little change in diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia from DSM-IIIR to DSM-IV. As normal aging affects eye movements~Hutton, Nagel, & Loewenson, 1993; Kanayama et al, 1994;Kuechenmeister, Linton, Mueller, & White, 1977;Larsby, Thell, Moller, & Odkvist, 1988;Ross et al, 1998;Sharpe & Sylvester, 1978;Spooner, Sakala, & Baloh, 1980!, we initially focused on subjects between 18 and 40 years of age. Ascertainment of probands suitable for extended diagnostic and physiological study selected for stable outpatients with chronic schizophrenia.…”

Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier

“…At increasing target velocities, eye tracking performance begins to lag behind target position/speed and pursuit gain declines proportionately. Previous studies have reported little or no agerelated reduction in pursuit gain for target velocities below 5-10 /s but greater rates of decline in pursuit gain as target velocities increased beyond this level (e.g., Sharpe & Sylvester, 1978;Spooner, Sakala, & Baloh, 1980;Kanayama et al, 1994). Of special interest, Kaufman and Abel (1986) demonstrated that age-related declines in smooth pursuit eye movement performance were exacerbated in the presence of competing or distracting objects in the stimulus background.…”