After finishing rotation in rotational testing, the initial slow eye movement is in which direction relative to the rotation?

• A. Opposite to the direction of rotation
• B. In the same direction as rotation
• C. No eye movement
• D. Random direction

Answer: (A)

The vestibulo-ocular reflex moves the eyes opposite to the direction of head rotation to keep the visual image steady. When rotation stops, the velocity-storage system in the brain–vestibular pathways continues to signal that rotation in the same direction you just spun, so the eyes keep drifting in the opposite direction to that rotation. In practical terms, if the chair was rotated clockwise, the initial slow eye movement will be to the left (opposite to the rotation). This slow drift is then followed by a quick corrective eye movement as the system re-centers.