Development of oculomotor functioning in preadolescence, adolescence, and adulthood

Joanna Katsanis, William G. Iacono, Mark Harris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined developmental differences in smooth pursuit eye tracking proficiency in a large sample of preadolescent, adolescent, and adult males. Smooth pursuit was quantified using general measures of oculomotor functioning and by examining the frequency and dynamic characteristics of specific saccadic events. Examination of age effects using general measures indicated that, by late adolescence, the smooth pursuit system reached adult levels of functioning. No significant differences were found between the adolescent and adult groups on most global measures. However, both groups had better eye tracking than the preadolescent group, suggesting that during preadolescence the oculomotor system is still developing and is not yet capable of optimal performance. Examination of the frequency and dynamic characteristics of the saccadic events yielded additional information regarding the nature of the smooth pursuit eye tracking differences of the three age groups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)64-72
Number of pages9
JournalPsychophysiology
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998

Keywords

  • Developmental differences
  • Electrooculography
  • Infrared recording
  • Smooth pursuit eye tracking
  • Vulnerability to psychopathology

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