Session: Poster session B

Evaluating Ocular Nerve Palsies: Impact of Eye Movement Recordings and Clinical Implications

Introduction: Recent advancements in eye-tracking technology enable precise measurement of eye movements, enhancing diagnosis and intervention planning. However, their use in clinical practice is limited due to a lack of suitable testing paradigms and analysis techniques. This study investigated the impact of ocular nerve palsies on eye movements, specifically smooth pursuit and saccades, over a 4-month recovery period. The results provide evidence for the merit of using eye movement recordings in these patients.  

Methods: Ten patients (mean age: 72.4 ± 10.5 years) with ocular nerve palsy associated with conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and high cholesterol underwent five eye movement recording sessions using the EyeLink 1000 Plus eye tracker (SR research Ltd). Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee NHS.

Results: Patients with microvascular ocular nerve palsies exhibited impaired smooth pursuit and saccadic performance at baseline, with variable recovery rates. These findings were consistent with clinical observations on motility testing.  Optimal testing frequencies and target amplitudes for specific parameters were identified, providing practical guidance for clinicians.

Conclusion: This study emphasises the potential of advanced eye-tracking technology to offer valuable insights into ocular nerve palsies' impact on eye movements. The identified impairments underscore the clinical significance of these assessments and the contribution to diagnosis and management. The identification of optimal testing frequencies and target amplitudes for specific testing parameters provides practical guidance for clinicians to implement the eye movement recording test. The findings stress the importance of further research and development in this promising field.