{"id":15147,"date":"2021-07-11T09:12:14","date_gmt":"2021-07-11T09:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=15147"},"modified":"2021-07-21T09:23:03","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T09:23:03","slug":"why-test-for-3d-vision","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/vision-therapy-for-lazy-eye\/7-signs-your-child-might-have-a-lazy-eye\/why-test-for-3d-vision\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Test for 3D Vision?"},"content":{"rendered":"

3D vision tests allow eye doctors to diagnose lazy eye, eye turns and other vision problems.\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you or your child has difficulties with 3D vision<\/a>, it may affect their confidence, school performance and even enjoying sports.<\/p>\n

3D vision is also known as stereopsis or depth perception, and is your brain\u2019s ability to see in 3D by uniting the separate images sent to the brain from your two eyes. Reduced 3D vision could be due to lazy eye<\/a>. or an eye turn.<\/a><\/p>\n

What is stereopsis?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Stereopsis is another way of saying 3D or depth perception<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n

Good depth perception requires the two eyes to be working together.<\/p>\n

For the brain to achieve stereopsis, a number of conditions must be met;<\/p>\n

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  1. The eyes must be aligned – pointing in the same direction<\/li>\n
  2. Each eye must have adequate visual acuity<\/li>\n
  3. The image from each eye must focus on the central part on each retina<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Images falling on slightly different places on the retina of each eye give each eye a slightly different perspective. This is known as disparity, and it is how stereopsis is tested.<\/p>\n

    How is stereopsis measured?<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Stereopsis is measured using specific equipment known as \u2018stereo tests\u2019. The eye doctor will ask you to wear what looks like a pair of sunglasses, then show a book with images, often of a butterfly or reindeer, cartoon characters or circles and other shapes.<\/p>\n

    These images are actually in 3D, and as you identify the 3D images \u2018popping out of the page\u2019 your 3D vision (stereopsis) is measured.<\/p>\n

    The more images seen correctly, the higher your level of stereopsis, measured in seconds of arc.<\/p>\n

    A person with a lazy eye<\/a> or an eye turn<\/a> will not be able to correctly pick all the 3D images.<\/b><\/p>\n

    SEE RELATED: <\/a><\/strong>3D Vision Is More Important than You Think<\/a><\/p>\n

    If you have any concerns with your child’s 3D vision, contact an eye doctor<\/b><\/a> near you who can conduct a stereopsis test.<\/p>\n\n\t

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