Dependence of visual suppression on the amplitudes of saccades and blinks

Abstract

Visual suppression accompanying voluntary saccades and eyeblinks was measured for a range of amplitudes of both. Saccade amplitudes varied from 2 to 32 degrees and blink amplitudes varied from a slight movement to a full closure of the eye. In every case, thresholds for detecting full-field luminance decrements were determined with the method of constant stimuli and a two alternative forced choice procedure. Results from three subjects show a monotonic increase in the amount of suppression produced by saccades and blinks of increasing amplitude. Data are discussed with respect to theories about the origin of visual suppression.