What term describes the movement of the eye from one part of the visual field to another?

Saccade is the appropriate term that describes the rapid movement of the eye as it jumps from one point of focus to another. This quick shift is a fundamental aspect of visual perception, allowing individuals to scan their environment efficiently and process information from different parts of their visual field. Saccades typically occur when reading or looking around a scene, enabling the viewer to direct their gaze swiftly and gather visual data from various locations.

The other terms refer to different forms of eye movement. Pursuit is a type of movement that describes the tracking of a moving object with smooth, continuous eye motions. Focal shift, while related to visual focus, does not specifically denote the rapid movement between visual points. Visual drift usually refers to involuntary eye movements that occur when the eyes stabilize on a point, leading to a slight movement over time that can affect perception. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping how visual attention and movement influence user experience.