What is the purpose of an electrooculogram (EOG)?

The purpose of an electrooculogram (EOG) is to monitor eye movements during sleep. This is crucial in sleep studies, especially when differentiating between various sleep stages, such as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and non-REM sleep. The EOG detects changes in electrical potential around the eyes, allowing for precise tracking of vertical and horizontal eye movements. Monitoring these movements is essential because REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movements, which are significant indicators of sleep architecture and can help clinicians understand a patient's sleep disorders or patterns. The EOG provides valuable data that complements other measurements, like EEG (brain wave activity) and EMG (muscle activity), to give a comprehensive view of a person's sleep state.