Difference between eye closure and visual stabilization in the control of posture in man.

Stabilizing the visual surroundings of human subjects influences postural control during perturbations of their equilibrium. The latency of the first EMG burst is increased and its amplitude is reduced. Body pitch is 36% stronger than with normal vision. Eye closure does not produce any significant modification of muscular responses and postural performance. This result explains why vision is not considered a rapid source of postural reaction. Eye closure cannot be considered to be visual deprivation.