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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
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Assessing Binocular Central Visual Field and Binocular Eye Movements in a Dichoptic Viewing Condition
Published on: July 21, 2020
Differences in the perception of monocular and binocular gaze
1Oklahoma College of Optometry, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464, USA. westr@nsuok.edu
Summary
Perceived gaze direction is biased. When the two eyes disagree, binocular gaze perception favors the abducting eye, influencing how we see eye movements and gaze direction.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Perception
Background:
- The perceived direction of gaze is subject to biases.
- Understanding these biases is crucial for interpreting visual cues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify biases in perceived gaze direction from monocular and binocular viewing.
- To investigate gaze perception for targets in different planes (observer's face plane vs. in front).
- To explore theories of ocular cues in gaze direction determination.
Main Methods:
- Two groups of 16 observers participated.
- Observers judged gaze direction from LCD-imaged heads.
- Targets were presented in the plane of the observers' faces or midway between models and observers.
Main Results:
- Monocular straight gaze appeared mildly exotropic for both eyes.
- Straight binocular gaze appeared orthotropic.
- When binocular gaze was directed sideways, perception differed between eyes, favoring the abducting eye.
Conclusions:
- Binocular gaze perception resolves conflicts when monocular gaze directions disagree.
- The perceived direction of binocular gaze aligns with the abducting eye's direction.
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