Citation

Alexander JA. Aust. J. Optom. 1983; 66(2): 49-58.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, Australian Optometrical Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1444-0938.1983.tb01535.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Modern theories of binocular vision have been greatly influenced by the refinement of techniques for studying the responses of single cells in mammalian visual cortex and by the development of novel stimuli such as random pattern stereograms. This paper reviews these developments and argues that many phenomena ascribed to "higher centres" by classical theories may be explained by interactions amongst disparity specific cells in the cortex. Reference is made to the clinical significance of some neurophysiological experiments, especially those involving visual deprivation and selective rearing. An original experiment is reported in which it was found that a person's ability to discriminate between crossed and uncrossed disparities may vary depending on whether the stimulus is in the right or left visual field. The result is discussed in terms of neurophysiologically based theories of stereopsis.

Language: en