Opto-kinetic

See also

vestibular nystagmus

oculomotor system

Definition

opto-kinetic movements = uses visual input to hold images stable on the retina during sustained or slow head rotation

vestibulo-ocular movements = the same, but for brief/rapid movements

Mechanisms

the opto-kinetic reflex has a long latency and slow buildup, interpreting visual (especially full-field) motion as head movement

e.g. the sensation of backward motion when stationary and the car next to you moves forward

see cerebellar flocculus for information on adaptation