2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
6 Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Part I: Strabismus
Chapter 5: Sensory Physiology and Pathology
Abnormalities of Binocular Vision
When a manifest deviation of the eyes occurs, the corresponding retinal elements of the eyes are no longer directed at the same object. This places the patient at risk for 2 distinct visual phenomena: visual confusion and diplopia.
Visual Confusion
Visual confusion is the perception of a common visual direction for 2 separate objects. The 2 foveal areas are physiologically incapable of simultaneous perception of dissimilar objects. The closest foveal equivalent is retinal rivalry, wherein there is rapid alternation of the 2 perceived images (Fig 5-4). Confusion may be a phenomenon of extrafoveal retinal areas only. Clinically significant visual confusion is rare.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.