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Foveation dynamics in congenital nystagmus IV: vergence

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate foveation dynamics and characteristics of vergence eye movements during fixation of static targets at different distances and while tracking a target moving in depth in a subject with congenital nystagmus (CN).

Method

Eye movements of a well-studied subject with CN were recorded using the magnetic search coil technique and analyzed using the OMtools software, including the eXpanded Nystagmus Acuity Function (NAFX).

Results

Both the phase planes and NAFX values during fixation of targets at various near distances were equivalent to those during fixation of a far target. When applied to vergence data, the NAFX values (“binocular” NAFX) were higher than for the individual eye data. Vergence tracking of targets moving in depth was demonstrated and was accurate for targets moving at speeds up to ~ 35°/sec.

Conclusions

Target foveation qualities during fixation of targets at various near distances were equivalent to that during fixation of a far target. Stereo discrimination was limited by the foveation quality of the eye with the higher NAFX waveform. Foveation period slopes during vergence tracking demonstrated vergence movements despite the ongoing CN oscillation. Similar to what we found with fixation, pursuit, and the vestibulo-ocular systems, these findings establish that vergence in both static and dynamic viewing conditions functions normally in the presence of the CN oscillation.

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Abbreviations

CN:

Congenital nystagmus

INS:

Infantile nystagmus syndrome

IPD:

Interpupillary distance

NAFX:

Expanded nystagmus acuity function

JRef:

Jerk right with extended foveation

PPfs:

Pseudo-pendular with foveating saccades

LEH:

Left eye horizontal

LEH_err:

Left eye horizontal error

REH:

Right eye horizontal

REH_err:

Right eye horizontal error

TDIST:

Target distance

TDIST_vel:

Target distance velocity

TVRG:

Target vergence

TVRG_vel:

Target vergence velocity

VRG:

Vergence

VRG_err:

Vergence error

VRG_vel:

Vergence velocity

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by the Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Daroff-Dell’Osso Ocular Motility Laboratory, Louis Stokes Cleveland, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, CASE Medical School, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Louis F. Dell’Osso

  2. Departments of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Louis F. Dell’Osso

  3. Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Louis F. Dell’Osso

  4. Department of Neuroscience, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Johannes Van Der Steen & Han Collewijn

  5. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Robert M. Steinman

Authors
  1. Louis F. Dell’Osso
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  2. Johannes Van Der Steen
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  3. Robert M. Steinman
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  4. Han Collewijn
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Correspondence to Louis F. Dell’Osso.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were approved by the appropriate institutional committee and were in accordance with the ethical standards of the University of Maryland and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Statement on the welfare of animals

This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

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Informed consent was obtained from the individual participant included in the study.

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L. F. Dell’Osso, Robert M. Steinman and Han Collewijn—Professor Emeritus

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Dell’Osso, L.F., Van Der Steen, J., Steinman, R.M. et al. Foveation dynamics in congenital nystagmus IV: vergence. Doc Ophthalmol 140, 221–232 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-019-09738-y

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