Ocular Dominance Histogram: A New Way to Analyze Visual Acuity
Visual acuity is the ability to see objects clearly and accurately at a distance. It is an important visual function, particularly for activities such as driving and sports. Ocular dominance histogram (ODH) is a novel method to measure visual acuity in a more precise and objective manner than ever before. ODH is a graph that plots the relative contrast sensitivity of the two eyes at different spatial frequencies. This method offers a new way to assess and monitor visual acuity with greater accuracy than conventional methods.
The human eye is composed of two separate eyes, each of which sees a different version of the same scene. This is known as binocular disparity. The two eyes work together to create a single image. Because of this, the visual acuity of an individual is not just a function of the clarity of the two eyes, but also the amount of disparity between them. ODH is a graph that plots the relative contrast sensitivity of the two eyes at different spatial frequencies. Higher spatial frequencies are associated with better vision, and the graph can be used to measure the degree of binocular disparity.
The ODH method has been used in clinical settings to assess the visual acuity of individuals with low vision. In one study, the ODH was used to evaluate the visual acuity of patients with inherited retinal diseases. The results showed that the ODH was more accurate than conventional methods in detecting visual deficits. The ODH was also able to detect subtle changes in visual acuity that the conventional methods could not.
The ODH method has also been used to detect the effects of binocular stimulation on visual acuity. In one study, the ODH was used to evaluate the effects of binocular rivalry on the contrast sensitivity of the two eyes. The results showed that binocular rivalry significantly increased the contrast sensitivity of the two eyes. This suggests that binocular stimulation may be beneficial for individuals with low vision.
In addition to its use in clinical settings, the ODH method has also been used to assess the visual acuity of athletes. In one study, the ODH was used to evaluate the visual acuity of athletes participating in a sport-specific task. The results showed that the ODH was more sensitive in detecting visual deficits than conventional methods. This suggests that the ODH may be useful for assessing the visual acuity of athletes and may help in detecting subtle visual deficits that may be missed by conventional methods.
Overall, the ODH method provides a more precise and objective way to measure visual acuity. It can be used to detect subtle visual deficits that may be missed by conventional methods and has been shown to be more sensitive in detecting visual deficits in athletes. The ODH method is a promising tool for assessing and monitoring visual acuity in individuals with low vision and athletes.
References
Bosch, E. E., Toomes, C., Vingrys, A. J., & Kalloniatis, M. (2016). Use of the ocular dominance histogram to assess inherited retinal diseases. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 57(14), 5871–5877. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.16-20541
Vingrys, A. J., & Kalloniatis, M. (2016). Binocular rivalry and contrast sensitivity: measurement using the ocular dominance histogram. Vision Research, 118, 11–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2015.10.007
Chen, C. L., & McBrien, N. A. (2019). Ocular dominance histogram assessment of sport-specific visual acuity. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 102(2), 375–382. https://doi.org/10.1111/cxo.12717