What does saccade mean?
A saccade is a rapid movement of the eyes from one point of fixation to another. The eyes do not glide smoothly across a scene; instead, they make a series of brief, jerky movements, each usually lasting only a fraction of a second, and remain relatively still between them. Saccades are essential for reading, looking around, directing attention, and following moving objects. They occur so quickly that people usually do not notice them, although eye-tracking studies use cameras and other instruments to record their duration, direction, and frequency. The word is especially common in ophthalmology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and reading research. Its principal adjective is “saccadic,” as in “saccadic eye movements.” Outside specialist contexts, the term is more precise than the general expression “eye movement” and highlights the rapid, discontinuous character of the eyes' movement.
nounA rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes from one fixation point to another. Saccades occur constantly during reading, visual scanning, and changes of gaze.
- A rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes between fixation points.
"The reader's eyes moved in quick saccades across the page."
"Saccades allow the eyes to scan a line of text efficiently."
"Researchers measured the participants' saccades while they viewed the images."
The standard plural is “saccades.”
"The experiment recorded the speed and direction of the participants' saccades."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does saccade come from?
The word comes from French “saccade,” a term used for a sudden movement or jerk, especially of the eyes. French borrowed it from Dutch, where the related word “saccade” also referred to a jerk or abrupt movement. The modern scientific sense developed from the word's general association with sudden movement.
Related word forms
How saccade is actually used
Primarily used in ophthalmology, vision science, psychology, and reading research. It is a technical term, though it is also understood in general discussions of eye movements.
Easily confused with saccade
Saccades are rapid movements between fixation points, whereas fixation is the brief period when the eyes remain relatively still.