Vertical Fusional Vergence

Abstract

Vertical fusional vergences in this study were produced primarily by the oblique extraocular muscles. The eye movement patterns of these vertical vergences in normal subjects are qualitatively similar to those seen in recordings of patients with dissociated vertical deviation. Dissociated vertical deviation thus seems to be an exaggeration of a normally occurring eye movement pattern. The cyclovertical component of dissociated vertical deviation may help stabilize the fixing eye by damping vertical nystagmus, while the accompanying hypertropia is an incidental and undesirable side effect.