How our eyes move together and apart to see in 3-D
Official title: Cortical and Brainstem Contributions to Binocular Eye Movements
Funded at Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute · NIH-11389329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at a leading eye research center is exploring how each eye moves on its own and how they work together to guide vision, which could improve understanding and treatment of eye alignment problems like strabismus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $484,509 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034626-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with binocular vision issues such as strabismus or unexplained eye misalignment who can participate in monocular and binocular eye movement recordings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without binocular vision disorders or those unable to participate in eye movement testing may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are testing a new model of how the two eyes coordinate, proposing that one eye can move differently from the other under certain conditions and that there are separate brain systems for slow, independent eye movements and fast, coordinated movements. The project uses monocular measurements to reveal hidden patterns in binocular eye control and to challenge long-standing theories about how eye movements are yoked. By examining both cortical (slow) and brainstem (fast) mechanisms, the team aims to refine our understanding of oculomotor control and its impact on vision disorders. If validated, these findings could influence how clinicians assess and treat conditions like strabismus and related visual disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to more accurate diagnostics and better-informed treatment decisions for people with binocular vision disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous monocular pursuit data suggest there may be hidden aspects of binocular control not captured by traditional yoked-eye models.
Where this research is happening
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Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heinen, Stephen J — Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Heinen, Stephen J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.