Depth perceptionis an integral part of everyday life.
It is needed when determining distance and how quickly an object is moving toward you.
Whether you are crossing the street or passing another car, depth perception keeps you at a safe distance.
Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health
This can be done at home or in anoptometrists office.
What Is Depth Perception?
When both eyes are focusing on the same object, each eye sees it from a slightly different angle.
The brain compares and processes each eyes information to form the unified image that you see.
When both eyes see clearly and the image is processed efficiently, that result is calledstereopsis.
When this doesn’t happen as it should, the process of seeing depth becomes more complicated.
At least 12% of the population has some problem with their binocular (two-eyed) vision.
People who see through one eye, or havemonocular vision, may have some trouble with depth perception.
Coping strategies can help when poor depth perception is a chronic issue.
This approach trains the brain to use the weaker eye.
With strabismus, an optometrist may prescribeeyeglassesto straighten the eye.
Sometimes,surgery on the eye musclesis needed to straighten the eye.
Further evaluation with an eye care provider is recommended to help manage visual disturbances.
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