A clinically convenient test to measure binocular balance across spatial frequency in amblyopia
Seung Hyun Min,
Yu Mao,
Shijia Chen,
Zhifen He,
Robert F. Hess,
Jiawei Zhou
Affiliations
Seung Hyun Min
School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Affiliated Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; McGill Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Yu Mao
School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Affiliated Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
Shijia Chen
School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Affiliated Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
Zhifen He
School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Affiliated Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Corresponding author
Robert F. Hess
McGill Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Corresponding author
Jiawei Zhou
School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Affiliated Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Corresponding author
Summary: Amblyopia is a visual disorder that originates from the brain. It exhibits no pathology in the eye. Studies have shown that measuring both visual acuity and binocular balance for assessing amblyopia could be more helpful. However, tests that measure binocular balance are time-consuming, often exceeding 30 min. Their long test durations prevent them from being used in the clinic. For this reason, we have developed a quick (i.e., about 7 min) and precise tool that quantitatively measures binocular balance of patients with amblyopia. The new test can capture binocular imbalance that is typically exhibited at high spatial frequency in amblyopes. In addition, it has an excellent test-retest reliability and repeatability between two experimental sessions. We hope that our newly developed test can pave the road for physicians and researchers to better assess and diagnose amblyopia and other visual disorders that disrupt binocular balance beyond the laboratory.
