Depth Perception and Intraocular Differences in Visual Acuities Among Older Spectacle Wearers

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Gerontology
• Vision Science

Background:

• Falls are a significant societal burden, with incidence increasing with age.
• Corrective refractive error procedures are considered for fall prevention.
• Reduced depth perception, linked to stereoacuity, contributes to falls in the elderly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between age, interocular visual acuity differences, and refractive errors with stereoacuity and aniseikonia.
• To assess the impact of ocular parameters like axial length, pupil size, and higher-order aberrations (HOAs) on visual function.
• To understand these factors in asymptomatic presbyopic spectacle wearers.

Main Methods:

• 91 subjects underwent comprehensive eye assessments, including refractive error, stereoacuity, aniseikonia, HOAs, axial length, and pupil size measurements.
• Stereoacuity was measured at distance (6m) and near (40cm) using Randot Stereotests.
• Aniseikonia was assessed using the Awaya test, and resultant aniseikonia (AR) was calculated.

Main Results:

• Age and interocular differences in corrected distance visual acuity significantly correlated with distance stereoacuity.
• Interocular differences in corrected distance and near visual acuities were associated with near stereoacuity.
• No significant correlation was found between stereoacuity and interocular differences in pupil size or HOAs.

Conclusions:

• Stereoacuity is age-dependent and influenced by interocular visual acuity differences in spectacle wearers.
• Interocular differences in pupil size and HOAs do not significantly impact stereoacuity in this population.
• Evaluating stereoacuity and aniseikonia is crucial for fall prevention strategies in older adults.