Cite as:
Marcuz V, 2011, "Vestibule-ocular reflex adaptation in astigmatic subjects" Perception 40 ECVP Abstract Supplement, page 165

Vestibule-ocular reflex adaptation in astigmatic subjects

V Marcuz

This is a single masked study about head tilt and astigmatism: a sample of thirteen astigmatic eyeglasses wearers has been tested in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with head tilt of 10 and 20° and cylinder misalignment of the same amount. With head tilt in fact the eyes counter-roll in the opposite side because of the vestibule-ocular reflex (VOR), leading to a cylinder misalignment. The residual refractive error, and the consequent acuity reduction, should be the same in both conditions but visual acuity (VA) results better with head tilt (p<0.05). We also compared VA and CS with straight head and head tilt in a control of non-astigmatic subjects (10 eyes). Corneal topographies have been taken with straight head and head tilt to quantify the counter-torsion, that is significantly reduced (average 35% of the tilt). This explains the difference in VA: with head tilt, the cylinder misalignment is reduced. The results indicate that astigmatic subjects learn to reduce VOR compensation after long term visual experience. This adaptation is possible because visual inputs play an important role in the control of VOR. No similar study in literature with similar sample and focus have been identified.

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