Abstract
Presentation Description :
Vision provides a key sensory input for optimal development of visuomotor skills. Normal visual development is disrupted by amblyopia, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired visual acuity in one eye and reduced binocularity, which affects 2-4% of children and adults. This presentation will discuss a growing body of research which demonstrates that binocular vision provides an important input for optimal development of the visuomotor system, specifically visually guided upper limb movements such as reaching and grasping. Research shows that decorrelated binocular experience is associated with both deficits and compensatory adaptations in visuomotor control. Parallel studies with typically developing children and visually normal adults provide converging evidence supporting the contribution of stereopsis to the control of grasping. Overall, this research advances our understanding about the role of binocular vision in the development and performance of visuomotor skills, which is the first step towards developing assessment tools and targeted rehabilitations for children with neurodevelopment disorders at risk of poor visuomotor outcomes.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.