Eye movements and reading are intricately linked together. While reading, the eyes make continuous movements known as saccades, which are rapid and jerky movements that shift the direction of the gaze from one word to another. These movements enable the eyes to bring the text into sharp focus, helping the reader to understand the meaning of the words and sentences.
Research has shown that the eyes can move up to four times per second while reading, and the distance covered is typically between seven and nine characters. This means that the eyes must make accurate and precise movements to follow the flow of the text.
There are two main types of eye movements that occur during the reading process. These are saccades and fixations. Saccades are the quick movements made by the eyes to move from one word to another, while fixations are the moments when the eyes stop and focus on a particular word or phrase.
Fixations are an important part of the reading process because they allow the reader to take in the meaning of each word. During fixations, the eyes will move very little or not at all, and the brain will process the information contained in the text. The longer the fixation, the more information the brain can process.
Studies have shown that skilled readers make fewer and shorter fixations while reading, suggesting that they are able to process information quickly and efficiently. This is in contrast to less skilled readers, who tend to make more and longer fixations while reading, indicating that they may take longer to process the information contained in the text.
Another important factor that affects eye movements and reading is the font size, spacing, and layout of the text. Research has shown that fonts that are too small or too large, or text that is too closely spaced, can slow down the reading process and make it more difficult for the eyes to focus. Additionally, text that is poorly organized or laid out can also make it more difficult for the eyes to follow the flow of the text.
