Comparison of stereoacuity in patients of anisometropia, isometropia and emmetropia

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To compare the stereoacuity in patients with anisometropia, isometropia, and emmetropia. Methods: A cross?sectional study was conducted on 1403 subjects (range 5–45 years) divided into anisometropes (n = 403), isometropes (n = 500), and emmetropes (n = 500). There were 258 amblyopic eyes among anisometropes and 156 amblyopic eyes among isometropes. Stereoacuity was measured using the Titmus stereo test consisting of a combination of contour targets. Results: There were 675 males and 728 females. A significant (P < 0.001) reduction in stereoacuity was found in anisometropes as compared to isometropes and emmetropes. The stereoacuity was even worse in amblyopes as compared to non?amblyopes. Most patients with anisometropia of <3.0 D had fair stereoacuity. However, as the degree of anisometropia increased to >3.0 D, stereoacuity deteriorated gradually. Marked reduction of stereoacuity was observed in severe degree of anisometropia (>6.0 D). Overall, an anisometropia of ?2.12 D was associated with reduced stereoacuity. Among the anisometropes, it was found to be the poorest in myopia, followed by myopia with astigmatism, hypermetropia with astigmatism, and hypermetropia. Conclusion: The level of stereoacuity was worse in anisometropes as compared to isometropes and emmetropes. Amblyopes had a greater reduction in stereoacuity than non?amblyopes. Stereoacuity decreased as the degree of anisometropia increased. Among the anisometropes, myopes had worst stereoacuity than hypermetropes.