Eye Movements and Emotional Face Expressions: A Systematized Review

Abstract Facial expressions play a vital role in communication, and eye-tracking methods contribute to understanding the processes involved in recognizing these expressions. However, identifying ocular inspection patterns for basic facial expressions presents challenges. This review examines the use of eye tracking technology in studying facial expression recognition in healthy individuals. A comprehensive database search yielded 2,710 citations, resulting in 101 papers after screening. Ultimately, 46 studies met the eligibility criteria, with an additional 5 included, leading to a final selection of 51 studies. The findings reveal a lack of consensus on visual patterns in facial expression recognition, highlighting variations in experimental designs and technical parameters. Addressing these methodological challenges is crucial for establishing best practices in the field.