Effect of visual training on the vertical vergence amplitude

Vertical vergence in nonhuman primates depends on horizontal gaze position

The goal of this study was to compare vertical fusion capability at different orbital eye positions in normal nonhuman primates and attempt to use this information to isolate the extraocular muscles (EOMs) that mediate vertical vergence. Scleral search coils were used to record movements of both eyes as two normal nonhuman primates (M1, M2) performed a vertical vergence task at different horizontal eye positions. In a control experiment, M1 was also tested at different angles of horizontal vergence. To elicit vertical vergence, a 50° x 50° stimulus comprising a central fixation cross and random dots elsewhere was presented separately to each eye under dichoptic viewing conditions. Vertical disparity was introduced by slowly displacing the stimulus for one eye vertically. Vertical fusion amplitude (maximum disparity that the monkey was able to fuse) and vertical vergence (maximum difference in vertical position of the two eyes) were measured. Vertical fusion capability differed at different orbital eye positions. Monkey M1 had significantly smaller vertical fusion capabilities when the right eye (RE) was abducted than left eye (LE) while M2 had significantly smaller vertical fusion capabilities when the RE was adducted and LE abducted. M1 also showed greater vertical fusion capability for near gaze. M1 data suggested that the vertical recti mediated vertical vergence in the RE and the oblique muscles in the LE while M2 data suggested that the oblique muscles mediated vertical vergence in the RE and the vertical recti in the LE. The variable results within the same animal and across animals suggest that EOM involvement during vertical fusional vergence is idiosyncratic and likely a weighted combination of multiple cyclovertical muscles.

Variation of binocular-vertical fusion amplitude with convergence

PURPOSE

The maximum binocular vertical disparity that can be fused with disparity vergence (vertical-fusion amplitude or VFA), varies with convergence angle. VFA is larger for convergence responses to near than to far viewing distances; however, the clinical norms for changes in VFA with convergence have not been established. VFA at several convergence angles was measured to obtain a quantitative description of the changes in VFA with convergence.

METHODS

Fifty-six adults took part in the study. Horizontal and vertical disparity stimuli were presented on a computer monitor by using the red-green anaglyphic technique. Stimulus to convergence was altered either by changing horizontal disparity on the computer monitor (experiment I: nine horizontal disparities: 1.2-22.5 PD [Delta]) or by changing the binocular viewing distance (experiment II: five viewing distances: 25-300 cm). Convergence was held constant during an experimental session, while vertical disparity was incremented in steps of 0.05 Delta after a subjective report of fusion, until the subject reported diplopia. The maximum vertical disparity that could be fused was defined as the VFA.

RESULTS

VFA increased linearly over the range of convergence stimuli (y = 0.10x + 1.62) and intersubject variability of VFA increased marginally with the amount of convergence. Linear regression equations with similar slopes and y-intercepts were observed in experiments I and II.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the experiments provide a quantitative description of a linear relationship between VFA and convergence. The linear regression equation could be used in a clinical setting to establish norms and to screen for vertical vergence abnormalities.

Vertical vergence adaptation does improve with practice

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of repeated testing on adaptation to a 2 Delta vertical prism in subjects with normal binocular single vision.

METHODS

Subjects were required to have good visual acuity and normal binocular single vision. The residual deviation was measured after a 1-min period of adaptation to a 2 Delta vertical prism using a modified Maddox Rod technique. This measurement was repeated 10 times, with a 5-min rest period between each trial.

RESULTS

For eight young adult subjects, the mean residual deviation at 1 min reduced with consecutive trials, and this effect was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). No significant correlation was present between the amplitude of vertical vergence and the increase in adaptation with repeated demand.

CONCLUSIONS

A practice effect for vertical vergence adaptation appears to be present in young adult subjects with normal binocular single vision.

Vertical fixation disparity curve and the effects of vergence training in a normal young adult population

BACKGROUND

The vertical forced vergence fixation disparity (VFD) curve represents the amount of vertical fixation disparity, the steady-state vertical bifixation error of the eyes, at various levels of vertical vergence demand. The main aim of the present study was to examine the effects of vertical vergence training on the slope of the VFD curve in a normal, young adult population.

METHODS

Forty-five subjects with normal vision and binocular function underwent vertical vergence training for 1 week. The training was done using a vertical prism bar, and the vertical fixation disparity was measured using the Disparometer.

RESULTS

The mean slope of the VFD curve in a normal, young adult population was 1.103 min arc/delta. The slope of the VFD curve decreased significantly after the training and remained flattened for at least 3 months. There was no evidence to support the idea that the decrease in the VFD slope was related to the increase of vertical fusional amplitude.

CONCLUSIONS

Vertical prism bar training provided a long-term effect, both increasing the vertical fusional amplitude and flattening the slope of the VFD curve. The decrease in the slope of the VFD curve was thought to be independent of the increase of vertical fusional amplitude.