The Effect of Visual Input on Post-Rotatory Nystagmus in Normal Children

Abstract

The duration, total number of beats, and frequency of post-rotatory nystagmus were measured in normal young children under different conditions of visual input. After rotation in darkness, the effects of fixation without light, fixation in light, and light without fixation on the nystagmus evoked by an abrupt braking deceleration were studied. The post-rotatory nystagmus duration and the total number of beats were significantly reduced both by fixation without light and by light without fixation. The findings were discussed in relation to mechanisms by which vestibular nystagmus may be suppressed.