Assessment of Saccadic Velocity at the Bedside

ABSTRACT

Saccades are a key component for the assessment and diagnosis of Neuro-ophthalmological disorders. Traditionally, clinicians have been taught to use large amplitude saccades (LAS) to assess saccadic velocity (SV), when small amplitude saccades (SAS) may be more effective. This study aimed to evaluate the advantages of SAS over LAS by presenting a video to 108 clinicians where both methods were used to assess a patient with a unilateral partial 6th nerve palsy. SAS was the preferred method in identifying the 6th nerve palsy by 43/55 (78.2%) of Neurologists, and 36/53 (67.9%) of Ophthalmologists. These findings indicate that SAS may be a more effective method than LAS for determining SV.

KEYWORDS:

• Small amplitude saccades
• saccades
• saccadic velocity
• clinical assessment

Acknowledgements

The authors are particularly grateful for the assistance of Professor James G. Colebatch FRACP, PhD, DSc, Professor and Chairmen of the Department of Neurology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, and the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Declaration of interest

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

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