Oculomotor evaluation in adults: a study of the effect of age and visual alterations

Purpose: To evaluate saccadic and pursuit ocular movements and optokinetic nystagmus in adults, analyzing the effect of age and visual alterations. Methods: We evaluated 40 subjects of both genders, aged 20–49 years, with no auditory or vestibular complaints and who presented a normal basic audiology evaluation, absence of spontaneous nystagmus with open eyes, semi-spontaneous nystagmus, and spontaneous nystagmus with eyes closed greater than 6o/s. All participants underwent the tests of spontaneous nystagmus, optokinetic nystagmus, fixed and random saccadic movements, and pendular tracking using computerized vectoelectronystagmography. The findings were analyzed according to age and visual changes (ametropias). The results underwent a descriptive and inferential analysis. Results: There was no difference in the tests of optokinetic nystagmus, fixed and random saccadic movement, and pendular tracking when analyzed with regard to age. As for the variable presence of visual alteration, directional preponderance of nystagmus, observed in the optokinetic nystagmus test, was higher in individuals with visual alterations. In the random saccadic movement, there was also a difference in relation to the maximum velocity, which was higher in individuals with no visual alterations. Conclusion: The oculomotor tests were not affected by the age factor in the studied age group, but the presence of visual alterations exerted influence on some of the parameters of the oculomotor tests.