The Art Of Investigating Binocular Vision Anomalies

Binocular vision investigation is often considered to be a confusing and challenging subject. Deficient investigation leads practitioners to become frustrated, lack confidence in the diagnosis and to choose inadequate management. Our view is that difficulty in obtaining the correct diagnosis occurs as a consequence of substandard investigation; namely, using the wrong test and conducting the correct tests but using deficient techniques. We have attempted to remedy this by writing the second edition of our guide which has a practical emphasis to binocular vision investigation. Our aim was to prepare a practical guide to demystifying diagnosis in binocular vision anomalies. The content is based on our understanding of current standard clinical practice, extensive experience of diagnosing and managing binocular vision problems and teaching binocular vision at student and practitioner levels. We have not attempted to cover all aspects of binocular vision and this book is not meant to be a reference text. It is intended to be a step-by-step guide to assist the practitioner in developing and improving clinical techniques to enable accurate diagnoses and successful management. By using this book to improve their binocular vision investigation practitioners will be able to better assist their patients.

The aim of this book is to provide students and practitioners with a clinical text on the investigation and management of binocular vision anomalies by methods other than medicine and surgery.

Binocular vision, i.e. where both eyes are used together, is a fundamental component of human sight. It also aids hand-eye co-ordination, and the perception of the self within the environment. Clinical anomalies pose a wide range of problems to the sufferer, but normal binocular operation must first be understood before the eye specialist can assess and treat dysfunctions. This is a major new textbook for students of optometry, orthoptics and ophthalmology, and also of psychology. Chapters span such key topics as binocular summation, fusion, the normal horopter, anatomy of the extra-ocular muscles, oculomotor control, binocular integration and depth perception. Fully illustrated throughout, the book includes self-assessment exercises at the end of each chapter, and sample experiments in binocular vision functioning.

The previous editions of this book established it as a standard text on binocular vision anomalies. It was popular with students and practitioners because of the 'how-to-do-it' approach, which kept the theory of binocular vision to the minimum necessary to understand the investigative and therapeutic procedures.

This text thoroughly explains the diagnostic and optometric management procedures involved in the care of patients with binocular vision anomalies. It also provides complete background information on the underlying principles of vision. Vision therapy as a treatment strategy for binocular vision dysfunction is covered in detail. Case studies with documented outcomes are also included.

The comprehensive approach of this authoritative book focuses on vision therapy and addresses surgical and pharmacological treatment of binocular vision problems. Discussion of normal binocular vision lays the foundation for examining poor visual skills, strabismus, ambylopia, various associated conditions, and oculomotor disorders. Each chapter contains a detailed outline, which acts as an excellent review and provides access to basic information and key topics. Numerous summary tables and figures promote focused learning and provide quick access to information. The enhanced "how to" approach provides specific vision training techniques. Explores the management of medical and neurological binocular problems, making this book applicable for primary eye care practitioners as well as specialists in vision therapy. Extensive appendices provide practical, supplemental information. 100 questions with answers and detailed chapter outlines act as excellent review guides. A CD-ROM included with the book contains popular training techniques and forms that can be modified to accommodate specific needs for office use and additional training.

This book celebrates binocular vision by presenting illustrations that require two eyes to see the effects of cooperation and competition between them. Pictures are flat but by printing them in different colours and viewing them through similarly coloured filters (included with the book) they are brought to life either in stereoscopic depth or in rivalry with one another. They are called anaglyphs and all those in the book display the ways in which the eyes interact. Thus, the reader is an integral element in the book and not all readers will see the same things. The history, science and art of binocular vision can be experienced in ways that are not usually available to us and with images made specifically for this book. The study of vision with two eyes was transformed by the invention of stereoscopes in the early 19th century. Anaglyphs are simple forms of stereoscopes that have three possible outcomes from viewing them – with each eye alone to see the monocular images, with both eyes to see them in stereoscopic depth or rivalry, or without the red/cyan glasses where they can have an appeal independent of the binocularity they encompass. Through the binocular pictures and the words that accompany them there will be an appreciation of just how remarkable the processes are that yield binocular singleness and depth. Moreover, the opportunities for expressing these processes are explored with many examples of truly binocular art.