What does convergence refer to in terms of eye movement?

Convergence in terms of eye movement specifically refers to the coordinated movement of both eyes towards the midline, allowing them to focus on a nearby object. This process involves the pupils moving medially when viewing something up close, which helps ensure that the image of the object is accurately projected onto the corresponding areas of the retina in both eyes.

This mechanism is crucial for depth perception, as it allows the brain to interpret the visual input from both eyes as a single image, enhancing the ability to gauge distances and details of nearby objects. In activities such as reading, where the focus is typically on text or objects that are close to the eyes, convergence is vital for clear and coordinated vision.

Other definitions of eye movement listed in the choices do not describe convergence accurately. For example, pupils moving laterally refers to divergence rather than convergence, focusing both eyes on a distant object involves divergence as well, and eyes becoming crossed under stress may describe a pathological condition rather than the normal physiological process of convergence.