Perceptual reversals in binocular rivalry: Improved detection from OKN

When binocular rivalry is induced by opponent motion displays, perceptual reversals are often associated with changed oculomotor behavior (Frassle, Sommer, Jansen, Naber, & Einhauser, 2014; Fujiwara et al., 2017). Specifically, the direction of smooth pursuit phases in optokinetic nystagmus typically corresponds to the direction of motion that dominates perceptual appearance at any given time. Here we report an improved analysis that continuously estimates perceived motion in terms of "cumulative smooth pursuit.'' In essence, smooth pursuit segments are identified, interpolated where necessary, and joined probabilistically into a continuous record of cumulative smooth pursuit (i.e., probability of eye position disregarding blinks, saccades, signal losses, and artefacts). The analysis is fully automated and robust in healthy, developmental, and patient populations. To validate reliability, we compare volitional reports of perceptual reversals in rivalry displays, and of physical reversals in nonrivalrous control displays. Cumulative smooth pursuit detects physical reversals and estimates eye velocity more accurately than existing methods do (Frassle et al., 2014). It also appears to distinguish dominant and transitional perceptual states, detecting changes with a precision of +/-100 ms. We conclude that cumulative smooth pursuit significantly improves the monitoring of binocular rivalry by means of recording optokinetic nystagmus.