The development of interocular and spatial interactions in an acuity task

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Copyright: Masgoret Cuellar, Ximena
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Abstract
In binocular vision, performance may be superior or inferior to monocular performance depending upon the stimuli presented to each eye. In addition, monocular or binocular visual performance may be affected by the presence of features surrounding a target stimulus. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of interocular stimulus similarities on a foveal acuity task in normally sighted children and adults. Liquid crystal shutter goggles synchronized with the monitor frame rate were used to present a Landolt C and surround bars to one or both eyes, in the following four viewing conditions. • Monocular: the Landolt C surrounded by bars was presented to the tested eye while the non-tested eye was occluded with a black opaque patch. • Binocular: the Landolt C surrounded by bars was presented to both eyes. • Dichoptic: the Landolt C was presented to the tested eye and flanking bars were presented to the non-tested eye. • Half-binocular: the Landolt C was presented to the tested eye and flanking bars were presented to both eyes. Discrimination of the orientation of a Landolt C was measured under each condition in 56 normally sighted children (7 to 14 years of age) and 22 adults (21 to 38 years of age). The effect of the surround bars (crowding) was tested in a subgroup of 9 children, and 10 adults. Across all age groups acuity was significantly better in the binocular condition than in the other three viewing conditions (binocular summation), and was significantly better in the half-binocular than in the dichoptic condition. In children, but not in adults, acuity was significantly better without than with bars. Interocular similarities may explain the enhanced visual acuity in the half-binocular condition in comparison with the dichoptic condition for all age groups tested. The results suggest that interocular interactions underpinning discrimination under these viewing conditions are developed in early childhood. The foveal crowding effect is immature at the beginning of school age, and maturation involves a reduction of this effect. These findings may have implications for the design of stimuli for binocular vision training therapies.
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Author(s)
Masgoret Cuellar, Ximena
Supervisor(s)
Asper, Lisa
Suttle, Catherine
Alexander, Jack
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Publication Year
2013
Resource Type
Thesis
Degree Type
PhD Doctorate
UNSW Faculty
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