Ann Clin Neurophysiol.  2023;25(1):10-18. 10.14253/acn.2023.25.1.10.

Recording and interpretation of ocular movements: spontaneous and induced nystagmus

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurology, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonbuk National University School of Medicine, Jeonju, Korea
  • 2Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
  • 3Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan, Korea
  • 4Department of Neurology, The Catholic University of Korea Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Korea

Abstract

The ultimate purpose of eye movement is to maintain clear vision by ensuring that images of observed objects are focused on the fovea in the retina. Accurate evaluation of ocular movements, including nystagmus and saccadic intrusions, provides very useful information for determining the overall function and abnormality of the complex oculomotor system, from the peripheral vestibular system to the cerebrum. Eye movement tests are therefore essential for the accurate diagnosis of patients who complain of dizziness and imbalance. They help to predict lesion locations from the peripheral vestibular system to the central cerebral cortex and play an important role in differentiation from other diseases. The methodology of recording and interpreting ocular movements using video-oculography are described in this review article.

Keyword

Eye movement; Spontaneous ocular nystagmus; Nystagmus; positional

Figure

  • Fig. 1. An example of three-dimensional eye-movement recording. The nystagmus directions are left, upward, and counterclockwise. LH, horizontal position of the left eye; LV, vertical position of the left eye; LT, torsional position of the left eye.

  • Fig. 2. Nystagmus waveforms. R, right; L, left.

  • Fig. 3. Horizontal gaze-evoked nystagmus in patients with cerebellar dysfunction. H, horizontal.

  • Fig. 4. Right-side Dix-Hallpike test (A) and supine head-roll test (B).


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