Which phenomenon describes the brain's temporary suppression of vision to maintain a clear image during rapid eye movements?

• A. Optokinetic nystagmus
• B. Saccadic suppression
• C. Visual masking
• D. Temporal accommodation

Answer: (B)

During rapid eye movements called saccades, the image would jump across the retina and blur your vision. The brain temporarily dampens visual processing during these moments to keep the image stable, a phenomenon known as saccadic suppression. This suppression is driven by signals that anticipate the movement (an efference copy from the motor command) and reduce activity in the visual pathways, so perception clears up right after the eye lands. That’s why this option best fits: it specifically describes the brief loss of visual sensitivity that helps maintain a crisp image during quick eye shifts. The other terms refer to different processes—reflexive eye movements that stabilize a moving scene, general perceptual masking, or changes in lens focus over time—not the transient suppression tied to saccades.