Abstract
The preprogramming of saccadic eye movements is examined by studying the pattern of ocular-motor sequences while scanning a visual display. The effects of interference employing a backward masking paradigm on the ocular-motor response as well as on position judgment and stimulus identification are examined. Data indicates that the motor programming of an ocular saccade is linked to the perceptual analysis of target position and cannot be set in motion with an impairment in perceptual localization.