Vicente Puyat

• BSc (Hons) Psychology
• ASTEROID (Accurate STEReotest On a mobile Device): The Effects of Motion in Depth on Stereoacuity

Stereotests are special eye tests used to see how well the eyes work together to perceive depth and to monitor common binocular vision disorders, such as Strabismus (manifest squint) and Amblyopia (lazy eye). However, the reliability of common clinical stereotests has been debated (Vancleef et al., 2017; Ohlsson et al., 2001) and have not changed greatly over decades. Dr. Read’s lab is working on ASTEROID, a fun computer game for children that can collect critical information to assist in making better clinical decisions (http://research.ncl.ac.uk/asteroid/).  The task involves selecting a 3D square that seems to “stand out” from a choice of 4 squares. This square remains at constant depth but recent research suggests that if the square jumped back and forth between two different depth planes, the task might be easier (Tidbury et al., 2016). To address this, subjects’ stereoacuities were measured using constant depths and alternating depths. Interestingly, this study found that alternating depth worsened 3D perception.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Supervisor: Prof Jenny Read