Linking physiology with behaviour: Functional specialisation of the visual field is reflected in gaze patterns during visual search.
Based on neurophysiological findings and a grid to score binocular visual field function, two hypotheses concerning the spatial distribution of fixations during visual search were tested and confirmed in healthy participants and patients with homonymous visual field defects. Both groups showed significant biases of fixations and viewing time towards the centre of the screen and the upper screen half. Patients displayed a third bias towards the side of their field defect, which represents oculomotor compensation. Moreover, significant correlations between the extent of these three biases and search performance were found. Our findings suggest a new, more dynamic view of how functional specialisation of the visual field influences behaviour.
Pflugshaupt
Tobias
T
Perception & Eye Movement Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Clinical Research, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
von Wartburg
Roman
R
Wurtz
Pascal
P
Chaves
Silvia
S
Déruaz
Anouk
A
Nyffeler
Thomas
T
von Arx
Sebastian
S
Luethi
Mathias
M
Cazzoli
Dario
D
Mueri
René M
RM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D006423:Hemianopsia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D015348:Vision, Binocular / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult