Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Eyeworks at Midtown

316 Gray St.

Houston, TX 77002 US

(713) 942-9080

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Latest News
    • Meet the Optometrist
    • Meet the Staff
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • Payment Options
    • Frame Selection
  • Eyecare Services
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Eye & Vision Exams
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
    • Hard to Fit Contacts
    • Computer Vision
    • Sports Vision
    • Sunglasses
  • Products
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • Eyeglasses
    • Basic Visual Skills
    • All About Eyes
    • Protecting Your Eyes
    • Visual Rehabilitation
    • Pediatric Vision Issues
    • Glasses
    • Contact Lenses
    • Common Eye Conditions
      • Vision Impairment
      • Eye Lids
      • Changes in Appearance
      • Injury & Irritation
      • Age-Related
      • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Problems
    • Eye Symptoms
    • Eye Diseases
    • A Child's Vision
    • What is Vision Therapy
    • Vision Therapy Programs
    • We Can Help With
      • Cataracts
      • Corneal Disorders
        • Disorders
      • Glaucoma
      • Refractive Disorders
      • Adult Strabismus
      • Retinal Disorders
    • Newsletters
      • Glasses & Frames
      • Contacts
      • Tips for Healthy Eyes
      • Conditions That Affect Vision
      • Kid's Vision
      • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
      • Medical Perspectives
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • How the Eyes Work >
  • Basic Visual Skills >
  • Eye Movement

Eye Movement

  • Created in How the Eyes Work, Basic Visual Skills
Cartoon image of an eyeball connected to a brain.

Eye movement refers to the voluntary and involuntary movements of the eyes that assist with obtaining, fixating and following visual stimuli. The eyes are each connected to a system of six muscles. Light is sensed by the retina, which is a type of tissue that contains cells known as photoreceptors. These cells translate light into electrochemical signals that move along the optic nerve fibers to the brain. Once they reach the brain, the signals are interpreted as vision in the visual cortex and the brain applies meaning to what is being seen.

How Your Eyes Interpret Movement

And just as the eyes send signals to the brain, the brain sends signals to the eyes. Three cranial nerves transport signals from the brain to the muscles attached to each eye. This ultimately controls both voluntary and involuntary eye movements.

There are four types of eye movement:

  • Saccades – rapid, flying movements of the eyes that suddenly change the point of fixation. These movements range in scale from the tiny movements made while reading to greater movements made while scanning a room
  • Vergence movements – these movements bring into the line the area of the retina (fovea) designed for high perception
  • Smooth pursuit movements – steady tracking movements that are meant to keep moving stimulus in focus
  • Vestibulo-ocular movements – helps stabilize the eyes when the head’s position moves

Poor eye muscle control or injury/trauma can affect the eyes’ ability to move in harmony, leading to eye movement disorders like:

  • Nystagmus – fast, uncontrollable movements of the eyes. This can sometimes be referred to as dancing eyes
  • Strabismus – the eyes are misaligned and not aimed in the same direction. This may cause crossed eyes or other vision problems like lazy eye

Correcting Eye Movement Problems

If an individual has problems with eye movement, vision therapy is one treatment that can help by using vision exercises and specialized equipment to strengthen the eye muscles, leading to more fluid, cooperated eye movement.

Performed under the guidance of an optometrist, vision therapy is conducted in an office setting up to twice a week for an hour. The types of exercises and equipment will be tailored to meet the individual needs of the patient and are based on the severity of the eye movement problem, as well as any associated symptoms. These influences will also establish the number of sessions the patient requires. To accompany in-house visits, the optometrist may also instruct the patient on how to perform certain vision exercises at home.

Equipment that may be used during a vision therapy session includes:

  • Therapeutic or corrective lenses
  • Optical filters
  • Prisms
  • Occluders or eye patches
  • Balance boards
  • Computer software
  • Vision-motor-sensory training equipment
  • Electronic target with programmed apparatuses

When vision therapy is over, and all necessary sessions have concluded, the patient should be able to perform the four types of eye movement with greater ease and should be more efficient when it comes to processing and interpreting visual information.

  • Eyeglasses
  • Basic Visual Skills
  • All About Eyes
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Pediatric Vision Issues
  • Glasses
  • Contact Lenses
  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Vision Impairment
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
  • Vision Problems
  • Eye Symptoms
  • Eye Diseases
  • A Child's Vision
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Featured Services

Click to find out more

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.

Office Hours

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

10:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

10:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

10:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

10:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Opened Every other Saturdays, please call to see which Saturdays we are opened.

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonial

  • "Great selection of high end glasses with helpful service. I'll come here for my next pair of glasses. This place accepts Cigna vision insurance."
    Ram A. / Houston, TX

Featured Articles

Read up on informative topics

  • Uveitis Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

    Do you know how uveitis could affect your eyes? ...

    Read More
  • How Nutrition Can Be Beneficial to Your Vision

    Want to protect your vision? Improving your nutrition may help. ...

    Read More
  • How Your Tears Work and Their Importance for Vision

    Do you know how your tears help keep your eyes healthy? ...

    Read More
  • Good Eye Health Is Essential for Athletes

    Do you know how eye health affects your sports ability? ...

    Read More
  • Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Do you know how age-related macular degeneration can affect your vision? ...

    Read More
  • How to Keep Your Eyes Safe From Germs

    Want to avoid colds and other viruses? Taking a few steps to protect your eyes can help. ...

    Read More
  • How Sleep Can Affect Your Vision

    Do you have trouble sleeping? Sleep problems may increase your risk of eye diseases and conditions. ...

    Read More
  • The Effects of Smoking on Your Eye Health

    Do you know how smoking can harm your eyes? ...

    Read More
  • Getting Your Child Accustomed to New Glasses

    Is your child struggling to adjust to new glasses? Try a few of these tips. ...

    Read More
  • Daily Habits That May Be Harming Your Eye Health

    Could any of these habits be hurting your eyes? ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Social Media

  • Copyright © 2021 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map