The eyes send nerve impulses to the brain, and the brain receives light signals that are converted into a single three-dimensional image.
La binocular vision It is the ability of the human being to convert two images into one. Any anomaly in the visual system It can affect this ability and make it impossible.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain below what the binocular vision is and what the binocularity test consists of.
What is binocular vision or stereoscopic vision?
Binocular vision, also known as stereoscopic vision, is defined as the ability of a person to integrate two images, coming from each eye, into one.
For binocular vision to be possible, different factors intervene, such as:
- La anatomy of the visual system. The eyes must be coordinated when looking at the same object.
- El motor system, who is responsible for coordinating the eye movement.
- El sensory system that allows the brain to receive the nerve stimuli to integrate two images or monocular perceptions.
Most frequent binocular alterations
Any anomaly that is present in the ocular, motor or sensorial system can affect binocular vision or make it non-existent.
The main binocular alterations are the following:
Insufficiency of convergence
This sensory and neuromuscular abnormality occurs when there is difficulty maintaining convergence during reading.
This condition of binocular vision can be deal with visual therapy and can get better at an 85%.
Excess convergence
It occurs when a hyper-action of the inner rectus muscles of the eye produces a hyperconvergence that triggers muscular overload in near vision.
La visual therapy and wearing glasses o contact lenses can correct the excess of convergence.
divergence insufficiency
This anomaly primarily affects distance vision and can cause the eye to turn inward. The indicated treatment is vision therapy.
Excess of divergence
El eye can deviate outward and affect distant vision. 71% of cases improve with visual therapy.
Tests that measure binocular vision?
Tests that measure binocular vision allow the ophthalmologist to know how the eyes are working with each other and with each one separately.
To know the adaptation capacity of changes in focus, accommodation, fusion and quality of eye movements, each eye must be studied through a binocular vision test.
When is it recommended to do the binocular test?
Binocular tests are usually performed on patients who have symptoms such as headache, visual fatigue, double vision or reading comprehension problems, even when they use corrective glasses to correct a refractive error.
The binocular vision test is also usually performed In children presenting Learning problems, school failure or difficulty reading correctly.
The most common binocular test is the one performed by the stereopsis.
The objective of these tests is to determine if there is any alteration in binocular vision and to evaluate if vision therapy is necessary.
How is the binocular vision test performed?
There are different stereopsis tests with which binocular vision can be measured, although the way they are performed does not vary too much between them.
To perform the test, the patient must sit down using their corrective glasses, in case they have a refractive error. They are also performed using polarized glasses or red/green glasses, depending on the test.
The patient must tell the ophthalmologist if he is able to correctly observe the images, plates or drawings. These images are shown to the patient on the different pages where there are hidden figures with relief where, in order to see them, we need the action of both eyes (binocular vision) to be able to identify them.
With the patient's answers indicating whether or not he identifies the images shown to him, it is possible to know if the person has any alteration in binocular vision or enjoys normal vision.
If you have any questions about the binocular vision test, do not hesitate to contact Área Oftalmológica Avanzada, our experts will be happy to assist you.
