Stabilization of the retinal image: A review of method, effects, and theory.

A summary is presented of 3 basic methods used in reducing or stopping involuntary eye movements in order to produce a stable retinal image. This stabilization produces some degree of fading or disappearance of the target being viewed. Additional effects on such factors as acuity and contrast thresholds are considered, as well as the effects of such variables as exposure time, flicker, attention, meaning, and target complexity on the nature and extent of target disappearance. Some explanations for the phenomenon are presented, and the theoretical implications of invariant stimulation on the perceptual process are discussed. (39 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)