Normative data of saccadic eye movements for routine diagnosis of ophthalmoneurological disorders

Abstract

With regard to the use of saccadic eye movements in the diagnosis of ophthalmo-neurological disorders, normative data were obtained from 40 eyes of 20 healthy subjects with an improved version of Infrared Reflection Oculography (IROG). Only such saccade parameters and tests were chosen which are suitable for routine examinations and the diagnostic value of which had already been demonstrated. Thus, accuracy, peak velocity, and duration of symmetrically midline-crossing 30- and 20-degree saccades were evaluated. Because age had a highly significant influence on several saccade parameters, age-specific normal ranges were calculated. Since highly significant differences for accuracy and peak velocity between abducting and adducting saccades were found, separate normative data for abduction and adduction were determined. In order to increase the yield of pathology in some ophthalmo-neurological disorders, standardized fatigue and Tensilon tests are proposed and their normal ranges given.

Key Words:

• saccadic eye movement
• infrared reflection oculography
• fatigue
• Tensilon test