Eye Movement (Oculomotor) Testing

Oculomotor means eye movement. We test and measure how and when your child’s eyes move in response to images, light, moving objects and head motion. We compare your child’s eye movement with that of other children of the same age to see if your child shows the usual response.

We do the testing in dim light or complete darkness. You may be able to sit in the test room with your child. We may ask your child to play video games or watch video images. We may ask you or a clinic staff person to hold your child’s head, so it does not move. For some tests, your child’s head is free to move.

To measure eye movement, we may use these devices:

• EOG (electro-oculography) uses small sensors placed on your child’s face around the eyes and forehead.
• VOG (video-oculography) uses goggles (like swim or ski goggles) that contain mirrors and video cameras.

Testing takes about 1 hour. We record all your child’s eye movements and look at the results on a computer. We review the result and give your child’s doctor a report. If you would like a copy of this report, ask your child’s doctor or technician.

We test for these 6 types of eye movements in the lab:

This is the ability of your child’s eyes to hold still when looking at a still object. We test to see if your child’s eyes remain stable in the dark and when looking at objects in different places. We may test gaze holding while your child is sitting or lying down.

This is the ability of the eyes to remain steady and see clearly while the head turns. Without this eye motion in the head, your child’s vision would be blurry. This eye movement is controlled by the same part of the brain that helps your child’s balance when walking, standing or sitting.

We test how the VOR works by gently rocking your child in complete darkness and watching the motion of the eyes. We also test VOR by turning your child’s head rapidly while they read letters or look at objects.

This is the ability of the eyes to look at the world when they move. The OKR works with the VOR to help steady your child’s eyes and allow their vision to be clear. We test this by showing your child a large moving image on a screen.

This is the ability of the eyes to smoothly follow small objects as they move. We test smooth pursuit by slowly moving projected targets like happy faces in front of your child.

These are a series of small and quick eye movements. When reading a book, the eyes jump around to aim at different places on the page. We test how well your child makes saccades and scans objects by showing patterns and jumping spots.

This is how the eyes move toward each other as objects get closer. It aligns your child’s eyes when they look at objects that are close and far away. We test vergence by asking your child to look at a target as it moves toward and away from their eyes.

If you have questions about the test results after you have spoken to your referring provider, please message us using MyChart or call our clinic at 206-987-2177. A provider will respond to you soon.