What Is a Gaze Shift?
The rapid, coordinated movement of the eyes from one point of visual fixation to another, redirecting the line of sight (visual axis) to a new target of interest.
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Primary Movement
The central component of a gaze shift is the saccade: a very fast, ballistic eye movement that rapidly jumps the fovea onto the new target.
Head-Eye Coordination
For large shifts (over 15-20 degrees), the head usually follows the eyes. The brain coordinates the eye movement (saccade) and the head movement (vestibular system) for a complete shift.
Role in Reading
During reading, the eyes execute a series of small, precisely timed saccades across the line of text, interspersed with brief pauses (fixations).
What is a 'catch-up' saccade?
If a smooth pursuit movement (tracking a slow object) is imperfect, a small, rapid 'catch-up' saccade is generated to bring the target back onto the fovea.
Is a smooth pursuit a gaze shift?
No. A smooth pursuit is a slower, deliberate movement to track a moving target, while a gaze shift is a rapid jump (saccade) between stationary targets.
What is a gaze fixation?
A fixation is the stable period of time (typically 200-300 ms) when the eye is paused on a target, allowing the visual information to be processed.