How our eyes make fast-moving objects invisible? 👀

Our eyes are constantly moving, even if we're not aware of it. These rapid movements, called saccades, are essential for our vision. A recent study reveals how these saccades influence what we see—or don't see.

Saccades are very rapid eye movements, occurring several times per second. They allow our eyes to quickly shift from one point to another. During these movements, our brain briefly "cuts off" vision to avoid blurring. Thus, even though our eyes move rapidly, we perceive a stable image.


A study published in Nature Communications shows that if an object moves faster than our eyes can track, it becomes invisible to us. This "invisibility" depends on the speed of our saccades, which varies from person to person.

This phenomenon explains why we don't see blur during rapid eye movements. Our brain filters out information during these saccades to maintain clear perception.

These findings have interesting implications. For example, athletes or video game players, who perform faster saccades, might perceive details that others miss. This opens new perspectives on how eye movement influences our perception.

Martin Rolfs, the study's lead author, emphasizes that our vision depends not only on our eyes but also on how we move them. Understanding this interaction between movement and perception could change our approach to vision.

How does our brain manage these rapid movements?

To avoid blurring during saccades, our brain precisely synchronizes visual and motor signals. It distinguishes between the movements of our eyes and those of objects around us, suppressing unwanted images.

Additionally, the brain anticipates the effects of saccades on the retina, stabilizing our perception despite the constant motion of our eyes. This adaptive ability is essential for daily activities like reading or driving.