Awareness in the general population about binocular single vision and its importance

Abstract

Introduction: Stereo vision adds an extra dimension to aid depth perception and gives a binocular advantage in task completion. Aim: To study the perception of the presence and importance of binocular vision in the general population. Materials and Methods: A standard questionnaire in the local language was circulated amongst 500 people in the outpatient department (OPD). Group 1 had studied < 12th standard, and Group 2 had studied up to 12th standard or more. Results: More participants in Group 2 said that the purpose of having two eyes was to see, for aesthesis, and also for a better quality of vision than those in Group 1 (P = 0.011 s); they knew that it was advantageous to have both eyes work together as one unit than did those in Group 1. (P = 0.010 s) Similarly, Group 2 knew why a squint developed (P = 0.002) and that there was a relationship between a squint and binocular single vision (BSV) (P = 0.000). Group 2 knew that a squint could be treated (P < 0.0001 s). Group 1 did not know the importance of the early treatment of strabismus (P < 0.0001 s). Participants in both groups were aware that they could face difficulty in doing certain jobs due to less vision in one eye (P = 0.201 ns); as well as that visual impairment in children could be prevented in at least some children if vision testing was done during the preschool years. Conclusion: It is important to raise awareness among the general population of the concept of binocular vision and its relationship to strabismus.

Keywords

• awareness
• binocular single vision (bsv)
• functional vision