A New Distance Stereotest by Autostereoscopic Display Using an Eye-Tracking Method

Objectives: This research aimed to present a novel glasses-free distance random-dot stereotest system (GFDRDSS) using an eye-tracking method. Methods: A single-view autostereoscopic display applying a backlight control system combined with an eye-tracking method and the corresponding random-dot stereotest software were developed to create a GFDRDSS with a viewing distance of 5 m. The stereoacuity of 12 subjects with normal eye position was evaluated using the Randot Stereotest, Stereoscopic Test Charts vol. 3 (Yan's Charts), Distance Randot^® Stereotest, and GFDRDSS. Results: The GFDRDSS could provide distinct and stable glasses-free stereoscopic perception even while the subject was moving their head. It could evaluate binocular disparities of 40-2,400 arcsec. Eleven subjects with normal near visual acuity had fine near stereovision (20-60 arcsec) using the Randot stereotest and Yan's Charts. Under refractive correction, 10 subjects had fine stereovision (≤60 arcsec) using the GFDRDSS at a distance of 5 m, and 9 had fine stereovision using the Distance Randot^® Stereotest at 3 m. Other subjects described the 100 arcsec-level stereograms correctly. The results exhibited a concordance of stereoacuity within one degrade between the two distance stereotests. Conclusion: The proposed GFDRDSS can alternately project a couple of random-dot stereograms to the subjects' eyes and provide a glasses-free distance stereotest, which showed good concordance with the Distance Randot^® Stereotest. More data are needed for statistical studies.