Track 15: Vestibulo Ocular Reflex

#Track 15 #Vestibulo #Ocular #Reflex

The #vestibulo #ocular #reflex (VOR) is a reflex, where activation of the #vestibular #system causes #eye #movement. This reflex functions to #stabilize #images on the retinas (in yoked vision) during head movement by producing eye movements in the direction #opposite to #head #movement, thus preserving the image on the center of the #visual #field(s). For example, when the head moves to the right, the eyes move to the left, and vice versa. Since slight head movement is present all the time, VOR is necessary for stabilizing vision: patients whose VOR is impaired find it difficult to read using print, because they cannot stabilize the eyes during small head tremors, and also because damage to the VOR can cause vestibular #nystagmus.

The VOR does not depend on visual input. It can be elicited by caloric (hot or cold) stimulation of the inner ear, and works even in total darkness or when the eyes are closed. However, in the presence of light, the #fixation #reflex is also added to the movement.