Computer analysis for routine electronystagmography tests.

A computer program has been developed for on-line analysis of routine electronystagmography (ENG) tests. With this system, data acquisition of eye movements and stimulus signals obtained from ENG are accomplished at a rate of 200 Hz through a 12-bit analog-digital converter. A small spotlight for eye tracking tests is sinusoidally driven by a computer-generated analog signal. Six optokinetic stripes projected onto a screen are also controlled by the computer. Seven spots for saccade tests can be turned on or off based on digital signals produced through a digital output device. There are three types of eye movements in this series: nystagmus, pursuit eye movement and saccadic eye movement. An algorithm for the analysis of different eye movements is described in this paper. Recent significant advances in computer technology make it possible to perform such complicated tasks and to accomplish quantitative assessment of any type of eye movements in routine ENG tests. Consequently, computer analysis provides clues to the location of a disease and is very useful as a diagnostic tool in routine ENG testing.