Oculomotor changes in cats reared without experiencing continuous retinal image motion.

Eye movements recorded with the magnetic-field search coil technique from six cats raised in an 8 Hz stroboscopically illuminated environment were found to be normal with the exception of fixation and optokinetic nystagmus. Fixation eye movements were characterized by a 4-5 Hz conjugate pendular nystagmus superimposed on a wandering drift. Optokinetic nystagmus was very asymmetrical on monocular tests. Depriving the oculomotor system of experience differentially effects fixation and smooth pursuit.