Saccadic Eye Movement

Execution:

  1. Patient is sitting on the bench with the head in neutral rotation
  2. The examiner holds a target about 3 ft / 90cm in front of the patient
  3. The patient is instructed to fixate the gaze on the target and to follow it without moving the head
  4. The examiner quickly moves the target in several different directions and holds it still momentarily
  5. The examiner notes the patient’s ability to quickly move the gaze to the target

 

Alternative:

  1. The examiner holds two target 12 inches / 30cm apart from each other about 3 ft / 90cm in front of the patient
  2. The patient is instructed to repeatedly look from one target to the other as quickly as possible

 

Positive Outcome: Inability to maintain focus on the target, over- or undershooting, reduced or awkward cervical motion or reproduction of symptoms such as dizziness, blurring of vision or nausea

Study Reliability Sn Sp LR+ LR-
Treleaven et al. (2008) NA NA NA NA NA
Comment: It can be helpful to look at one eye at a time to be able to spot deviations from the norm and to have the patient perform several repetitions