Main page -- > Videoecology --> Eye movements. Saccades --> Saccades in blind subjects

In literature the saccades are originally associated with vision activity, therefore it was a surprise for us to register saccades in blind subjects. The blind lack vision activity but the number of saccades in the blind equals to that in those who can see (V.A.Filin, V.F.Ananin, 1972; V.A.Filin, 1987). Accordingly, an afferent signal applying from the retina is not a determinant for saccades. Existence of saccades in the blind points to the fact that saccades are generated by certain center which continues its activity after the vision is upset. Being constantly within a space with no reference points, saccades of a blind individual have a very high amplitude. Exactly due to this indicator (by saccades of high amplitude), i.e. by "shifty eyes" one can easily recognize a blind person in everyday life