Optic ataxia is an inability to move the hand to an object by using vision. Optic ataxia is a feature of Balint's syndrome. Balint's syndrome is a problem characterized by optic ataxia and simultanagnosia (inability to recognize more than one object shown at the same time).

Optic comes from the Greek word "optikos" meaning "eye." Ataxia comes from the Greek word, "a" meaning "to do without," and the Greek word, "taxis" meaning "order." Put the words together and you have "to do without eye order."

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