Ongoing research in the lab further examines the precision, accuracy, and
adaptability of microscopic eye movements. We have shown that microsaccadic gaze shifts have greater
precision and accuracy than previously assumed (Poletti et al., 2020) in such a way that compensates
for non-uniform vision within the foveola (Poletti et al., 2013). These movements are not just driven
by the locations of nearby foveal targets, but are under cognitive control. When presented with a small
face, subjects direct their gaze based on whether relevant information is in the eyes or mouth (Shelchkova et al., 2019).
Landing positions of saccades executed toward targets at 14' and 40' distance from the center of gaze. (From Poletti et al, Scientific Reports, 2020)
Ocular Drift
Ocular drift, the seemingly random movements of the eyes, is also under some level of control.
When seeing details is required, ocular drift is finely tuned to the visual task - subjects completing high acuity tasks have smaller and slower drifts than when they fixate or freely
view natural scenes (Intoy & Rucci, 2020; Shelchkova et al., 2019). Control of ocular drift has major implications for visual acuity as a smaller
drifts enhance provide a sharper image to the retina and enhance the fine details encoded in the activity of retinal neurons.
