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Abstract
The aim of this study was to add to our understanding of interocular interactions in normally sighted children (Group I, N=20), normal adults (Group II, N=20) and adults with anisometropic amblyopia (N=12) by investigating responses to a range of visual functions under three kinds of viewing condition.
Visual functions tested were visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and alignment sensitivity.
Stimuli were generated on a Cambridge VSG card driving a high resolution monitor and FE liquid crystal goggles, enabling three kinds of viewing conditions:
1. Monocular (non-tested eye occluded), used as a baseline for most functions.
2. Dichoptic (uniform field presented to the non-tested eye but with a binocular fusion lock).
3. Binocular.
In general, binocular performance was better than monocular (binocular summation) but so too was dichoptic performance (dichoptic advantage). However there was much variation within individuals (the three functions showing different summation/advantage pattern) and between individuals.
Significant conclusions include:
(a) Maturational windows for interocular interactions differ for different spatial visual functions.
(b) Interpretations of results from one visual function cannot be applied automatically to other functions.
(c) Care must be taken in interpreting results based on 5 or fewer subjects.