Slow eye movements induced by apparent target motion in monkey.

Slow eye movements were observed while the monkey fixated on a subject-stationary, small target light in front of a moving optokinetic drum in an attempt to suppress optokinetic nystagmus (OKN). These slow eye movements of low amplitude were directed opposite to the moving optokinetic stimulus and, hence, were not identical to slow phases of incompletely suppressed OKN. It is assumed, based on comparable findings in humans, that these slow eye movements are induced by a perceived target motion, i.e. by the perception of an apparent motion of the subject-stationary fixation light opposite to the actual motion of the optokinetic drum.