Abstract
Purpose: :
The aim of this work is to determine the influence of interocular differences in retinal-image quality on binocular visual performance.
Methods: :
We measured contrast sensitivity function (both monocular and binocular) and maximum disparity. From contrast sensitivity data we computed binocular summation. Maximum disparity was measured with a mirror stereoscope showing random dot stereograms (RDS) to the observers. Data on retinal-image quality were taken from a double-pass device (OQAS), providing the Strehl ratio as a parameter to quantify retinal-image quality. 25 observers took part in the experiments.
Results: :
Binocular summation for contrast sensitivity function and maximum disparity are significantly (p<0.01) correlated with interocular differences in Strehl ratio. The higher the interocular differences in Strehl ratio the lower the maximum disparity and the binocular summation.
Conclusions: :
Binocular vision, the normal state of vision, is less effective as the interocular differences in retinal-image increase.
Keywords: binocular vision/stereopsis • imaging/image analysis: non-clinical • contrast sensitivity