The Effect of Training on Horizontal Saccades and Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements

Linda Santamaria MAppSc, DipAppSc (Orth), DOBA
Ian Story PhD, BBSc (Hons)

Previous studies have shown that eye movement function decreases with age, with pursuit showing more effect than saccades. The aim of this study was to access whether these age-related changes were reversible with eye movement training.
This study with 28 young adults, 34 older adults and 36 control participants measured the effects of two weeks of training of both saccadic and pursuit eye movements. It was found than training resulted in a significant improvement in smooth pursuit function in both training groups, with the older group showing a greater improvement. No improvement occurred in saccadic function.
These results suggest that the age-related decline in eye movement function may be due to irreversible degenerative changes in the central nervous system. The differential improvement supports the hypothesis that in normal viewing the ocular motor system is maximally stimulated for saccades but not smooth pursuit movement. Eye movement training, by providing extra stimulation, resulted in improved smooth pursuit in both groups to the extent that the age related decrease in function was reduced but still remained.