Saccade length consistency during reading and shape-scanning

Thomas Fabian · 2026

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Description

Thomas Fabian reports in 2026 a study comparing eye jumps during reading with eye jumps during shape scanning. Participants read texts and also scanned rows of geometric shapes matched in layout to the text. Saccades are the quick eye movements that shift gaze from one spot to the next.

Jumps forward were more alike in length, one after another, during reading than during shape scanning. Jumps backward showed no such difference between the two tasks. Tighter control during reading may reflect how language guides where the eyes go next. Measuring the relative lengths of successive jumps offers a task-free way to study reading. The method could also help compare gaze control across many other activities.

Catalog record

CREATORThomas Fabian
YEAR2026
COLLECTIONPAPERS
FORMATTXT
FILE SIZE57 KB
VERSION1.0
LICENSECC BY 4.0
RIGHTSCC BY
SOURCEEurope PMC

Source: https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13230309

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