Which term describes smooth tracking of a moving object by the eyes?

Which term describes smooth tracking of a moving object by the eyes?

• A. Pursuits
• B. Saccade
• C. Divergence
• D. Accommodation

Answer: (A)

Smooth pursuit is the eyes’ ability to smoothly follow a moving target, keeping the image steady on the fovea as long as the target moves at a moderate, predictable speed. This is different from rapid jumps of gaze, called saccades, which quickly reposition the eyes rather than track motion. Diversion (divergence) and convergence relate to adjusting eye alignment for depth, not continuous tracking of a moving object, and accommodation refers to changing the lens to focus, not to tracking movement. Because pursuits specifically describe the gradual, continuous pursuit of a moving target to maintain clear, steady vision, they are the term that best fits smooth tracking of a moving object by the eyes.

Smooth pursuit is the eyes’ ability to smoothly follow a moving target, keeping the image steady on the fovea as long as the target moves at a moderate, predictable speed. This is different from rapid jumps of gaze, called saccades, which quickly reposition the eyes rather than track motion. Diversion (divergence) and convergence relate to adjusting eye alignment for depth, not continuous tracking of a moving object, and accommodation refers to changing the lens to focus, not to tracking movement. Because pursuits specifically describe the gradual, continuous pursuit of a moving target to maintain clear, steady vision, they are the term that best fits smooth tracking of a moving object by the eyes.