What characterizes saccadic intrusions?

• A. Rapid eye movements due to fatigue
• B. Oscillation of the eye unrelated to vertebral artery insufficiency
• C. Irregular eye jerks caused by migraines
• D. Consistent eye movement in one direction

Answer: (B)

Saccadic intrusions are characterized by oscillations of the eye that are not related to any underlying issue such as vertebral artery insufficiency. These types of movements are typically involuntary and can disrupt a person's gaze stability, often resulting in difficulty focusing on a specific target. They can be seen in various conditions, including certain neurological disorders, and are fundamentally about the eye's failure to maintain a steady visual fixation.

Understanding saccadic intrusions is important, as they can impair visual function significantly and can be a symptom of broader neurological issues. An example of a non-characteristic aspect of saccadic intrusions is their false association with fatigue; while fatigue can affect eye movements in different ways, it does not specifically cause saccadic intrusions. Other conditions, such as migraines or consistent directional eye movements, describe different phenomena unrelated to the involuntary, oscillatory nature of saccadic intrusions.