Spatial and Temporal Misperceptions in Amblyopic Vision

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial and temporal distortions that occur in strabismic and anisometropic amblyopic vision. Twelve subjects with strabismic (n = 4), anisometropic (n = 4), mixed amblyopia (n = 3) and bilateral refractive amblyopia (n = 1) were asked to describe and sketch their subjective percept of different geometrical patterns, as seen with their amblyopic eye. Based on their descriptions, computer-animated patterns were generated, which were then validated by the subjects. Both spatial distortions and temporal instability were perceived mainly by strabismic and strabismic-anisometropic amblyopes. Temporal instability occurred mainly at high spatial frequencies. Our data suggest that strabismus, in addition to amblyopia, is needed to elicit significant spatial and temporal distortions. The occurrence of these distortions may be related to the early history of each subject.

KEYWORDS:

• Amblyopia
• strabismic amblyopia
• anisometropia
• computer simulations
• natural images
• spatial distortions
• temporal instability