fixation reflex

The fixation reflex is an automatic eye movement that occurs when a subject looks straight ahead and a bright light appears in their peripheral vision, causing the eyes to automatically turn and fixate on the light. This reflex is crucial for maintaining clear vision, as only a small portion of the retina, the fovea, is used for distinct vision.1

The fixation reflex is part of a larger system that keeps images stable on the retina. It works alongside the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which stabilizes gaze by countering head movements, and the optokinetic reflex (OKR), which ensures the eye moves with an image. While the VOR compensates for fast movements and the OKR for slower ones, the fixation reflex ensures the eyes return to their target after drifting away. This reflex involves pathways leading to the cerebral cortex and is essential for precise and rapid eye movements.213