fixation disparity Flashcards
what is fixation disparity
Fixation disparity (FD) is a small misalignment or offset of the visual axes
Visual axes do not intersect precisely…slight under or over convergence
Fixation point not projected onto centre of fovea in both eyes
Occurs without causing diplopia, still have BSV
As still within Panums Fusional Area (PFA)
what is fixation disparity also referred to
Some refer to it as an ‘associated phoria’
Amount the visual axes drift without dissociation
Exo disparity….axes slightly divergent
Eso disparity…axes slightly convergent
Vertical disparity
Can also have a torsional FD but not measured clinically
what is an eso fixation disparity
Visual axes not meeting at target
Inward shift of the horopter
Object lies beyond horopter
Uncrossed retinal disparity
As long as the magnitude of
the FD is not larger than the
width of PFA the patient can
maintain BSV
(If exo disparity…horopter shift beyond object…crossed retinal disparity)
what is the size of a fixation disparity
Typically less than 10 minutes of arc (Elliott, 2013 p167)
Mean -6.6 mins of arc (exo), Range +20 (eso) to -60 (exo) mins arc (Jaschinski et al, 2010)
10 mins arc = 0.16 degrees = approx. 0.32 PD
60 mins arc = 0.96 degrees = approx. 1.92 PD
Only 2/12 (17%) have zero FD (Jaschinski et al, 2018)
what is the size of a fixation disparity
A common misunderstanding is the belief that FD is comparable to a small angle of anomaly’ (Decker et al 1975)
Not related to movement on CT so not
directly comparable to a microtropia
Is it the stage prior to anomalous BSV? (Crone, 1969)
Orthophoria > fixation disparity > heterophoria > microtropia (Crone, 1969)
how is fixation disparity measured
Mallet Unit
Saladin card
Wesson card
Disparometer – no longer available
Infrared eye tracker system
how is fixation disparity measured
Eyes partially dissociated
Part of target seen by each eye (monocular markers) – are these aligned?
Part target seen by both eyes (binocular/fusion lock)
Nonius Lines
Presented dichoptically (one to each eye)
Eyes are associated (not magnitude heterophoria)
Measure the offset
what is a mallet unit
Near or distance (FD can differ)
Polarised filter glasses
Fusion lock = OXO (Eyes are assoc as viewing similar images which aid sensory fusion)
One red line seen by RE, other by LE
Lines aligned? Yes = no FD; No = FD
and give prismatic power till aligned
Rather than magnitude of FD the tests measure the strength of prism required to eliminate the FD
= Aligning prism
Can turn to measure vertical FD
why does fixation disparity matter
Large FD can be associated with asthenopic symptoms
Stress on the binocular system
Associated with reduced stereopsis
If no FD there are better fusional reserves to cope with any existing heterophoria
E.g. patient with 3 dioptre heterophoria…
If no/little FD = asymptomatic
If larger FD = some may have asthenopic symptoms
should prisms be prescribed to eliminated fd
Typically optom view – measured by some for all patients (35% all; 85% sometimes (Karania and Evans, 2006))
Large FD results in symptomatic phorias (Karania and Evans, 2006)
Some prescribe aligning prisms even if asymptomatic
Prisms correct FD as well as the heterophoria
Magnitude of FD links to level of stereo and fusional reserves
Prescribing based on associated, rather than dissociated phoria – more natural viewing condition
should prisms be prescribed to eliminated fd
Typically optom view – measured by some for all patients (35% all; 85% sometimes (Karania and Evans, 2006))
Large FD results in symptomatic phorias (Karania and Evans, 2006)
Some prescribe aligning prisms even if asymptomatic
Prisms correct FD as well as the heterophoria
Magnitude of FD links to level of stereo and fusional reserves
Prescribing based on associated, rather than dissociated phoria – more natural viewing condition
what are the arguments against prescribing aligning prisms
Orthoptist’s view
Poor literature evidence (Chetty et al 2007)
Associated phoria very variable (Kommerell et al 2015)
Reliability of tests and studies
Tests not always repeatable from one test to another (Jackson et al 2007)
Mallet unit – instruction set influences results (Karania and Evans 2006)
FD should match direction of heterophoria but not always the case (many have paradoxical FD)
when should you prescribe prisms
Underlying problems causing symptoms? e.g. large heterophoria, CI?
Only prescribe prisms if a patient is symptomatic!
Are they truly symptomatic?
Karania and Evans (2006) used a symptom and history questionnaire to identify symptomatic patients…
Frequently rub eyes, holds books too close/far, tilts head when reading/writing, poor concentration
Cost
Watch out for pt’s with prisms prescribed by their optom…
what is behavioural optometry
British Association of Behavioural Optometry (BABO):
‘Standard optometry looks atwhat letters you can seeon a chart,whereas behavioural optometry takes things a step further and looks atthe way your brain interprets what you are seeing.’
Vision therapy has an end result of ‘a reliable visual system which correctly interprets visual and visual-spatial data and enables good integration of this skill with other body senses’.
what are benefits of behavioural optometry
British Association of Behavioural Optometry (BABO):
Benefits many conditions such as:
Dyslexia
Poor concentration
Maths
Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
Clumsiness
More common in USA but increasing in UK