Reflex horizontal saccades in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The authors used infrared oculography to measure reflex horizontal saccades in 50 normal subjects and 65 patients with multiple sclerosis. MS patients were divided into three groups on the basis of a current or past history of ocularmotor disorder or neither. Saccadic duration and peak velocity characteristics were modelled using simple mathematical functions. Data were segregated by eye and direction and anatomical interpretations made on the basis of abnormalities found. The authors were able to show that duration more so than velocity data, using small angles, was sensitive to clinical and presumed ‘subclinical’ abnormalities. Saccadic latency did not correlate with visual pathway problems, and dysmetria frequently occurred in patients with a previous history of ocular palsy. In contrast to previous studies the authors have demonstrated that careful measurement of small saccades provides clinically robust and useful information, and suggest that this approach could be extended to aid in the evaluation of other disorders where structures involved in eye movement control might be affected.

Key Words:

• multiple sclerosis
• saccades
• brainstem
• evoked responses