Saccadic Eye Movements and Parkinson’s: Improving Reaction Time and Visual Scanning

by Trent McEntire

When we look at the world around us, our eyes aren’t gliding smoothly from one object to another—instead, they’re making rapid jumps called saccades. These quick, coordinated eye movements allow the brain to scan environments, shift attention, and respond to new stimuli in milliseconds. For people with Parkinson’s, saccadic eye movements can become slower, less accurate, or disorganized, leading to challenges with things like safely navigating a room, noticing obstacles, or even quickly recognizing faces and objects.

Studies have shown that people with Parkinson’s disease often experience hypometric saccades, meaning their eyes undershoot their target and require corrective movements. This can result in delayed reaction times and impaired visual scanning, especially in dynamic environments (MacAskill, et al., 2002). As everyday tasks require constant visual monitoring—like watching traffic, finding a utensil on a cluttered table, or stepping over a curb—diminished saccadic control can compromise both safety and independence.

Training saccadic eye movements offers a powerful, drug-free strategy to improve visual reaction time and attentional control in people with Parkinson’s. Eye movement exercises that challenge the eyes to rapidly shift from one target to another can strengthen neural circuits involved in attention, motor planning, and spatial orientation. These exercises not only help the eyes move better but also retrain the brain to process information more efficiently—a concept rooted in neuroplasticity.

This is exactly where tools like the BrainSpeed Ball® become essential. The BrainSpeed Ball® requires quick saccadic shifts as users track the letters or numbers while catching or tapping it. It stimulates the same neural pathways that control fast eye movements and reaction time—making it an ideal way to practice saccadic precision in a fun, brain-engaging way. By incorporating tools like this into daily routines, people with Parkinson’s can strengthen their ability to respond to the world around them more quickly and confidently.

Saccadic training isn’t just about the eyes—it’s about restoring faster, more confident interaction with the world. Better saccades mean better scanning of surroundings, quicker reactions to potential threats or changes, and stronger engagement with the environment. For people with Parkinson’s, that can make a significant difference in both safety and quality of life.

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Sources:

MacAskill, M. R., Anderson, T. J., & Jones, R. D. (2002). Adaptive modification of saccade amplitude in Parkinson’s disease. Brain, 125(7), 1570–1582. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awf159
Helmchen, C., Rambold, H., & Sprenger, A. (2012). Saccadic eye movements in neurological disorders. Current Opinion in Neurology, 25(1), 53–58. https://doi.org/10.1097/WCO.0b013e32834ed993