Influence of Interocular Differences and Alcohol Consumption on Binocular Visual Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of a moderate breath–alcohol content (BrAC of 0.40 mg/L) on binocular visual performance for different visual functions after inducing different levels of interocular differences with the use of filters. A total of 26 healthy young subjects were enrolled. The participants participated in two sessions: one without alcohol consumption and another after alcohol consumption. In each session and for the different filter conditions (subjects were wearing Bangerter foil of 0.8 and BPM2 fog filter on the dominant eye), monocular and binocular visual function was evaluated by measuring visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual discrimination capacity (and successively by calculating their corresponding binocular summations) and stereopsis (near and distance stereoacuity). In addition, interocular differences were calculated for different retinal–image quality and straylight parameters. All monocular and binocular visual functions were analyzed and stereopsis was significantly impaired by alcohol and filters (p < 0.05). Interocular differences for different ocular parameters and binocular summations for visual parameters were negatively affected by filters but not alcohol. Significant correlations (averaging all the experimental conditions analyzed) were found, highlighting: the higher the interocular differences, the lower the binocular summation and the poorer the stereopsis and, therefore, the worse the binocular visual performance.

Effects of alcohol consumption on driving performance in the presence of interocular differences simulated by filters

“…We found that visual impairment due to alcohol consumption could be expected to affect both eyes equally, the interocular differences being maintained before and after alcohol consumption. In a previous study 18 , we showed similar results taking into account the same ocular parameters and alcohol consumption condition where interocular differences significantly increased due to visual deterioration filters (BPM2 and BF_0.8 on the dominant eye). The two ocular parameters were considered due to their importance for quantifying intraocular scattering and straylight.…”

“…We confirmed a correlation between visual performance in visual function and interocular differences in ocular parameters (ρ = − 0.370, p < 0.001), such that the greater the interocular differences in the ocular parameters studied, the poorer the visual performance. In a recent study 18 , we also found a correlation (ρ = − 0.390) between the overall binocular summation of several visual functions (VA, CS, and VDI) and interocular differences (including intraocular scattering, retinal-image quality, and straylight) when considering the same filter conditions and alcohol consumption. In contrast to that study, we have included stereopsis, which, as is well established, is an essential aspect of binocular vision and, therefore, visual performance.…”

“…In addition, alcohol produces significant behavioral alterations and affects the psychophysical capacities required for safe driving 14 . In particular, it significantly impairs binocular visual acuity 15 , 16 , contrast sensitivity 7 , and stereopsis 17 , 18 . The latter is defined as the capacity of the visual system to see the surrounding environment in depth.…”

“…On the other hand, an important phenomenon known as intraocular scattering may be responsible for an increase in these interocular differences. When this phenomenon affects one eye more than the other, interocular differences cause a deterioration in binocular visual performance 18 , 24 , 29 . An increase in intraocular scattering results in a veiling luminance on the retina which worsens the retinal image quality 24 , 30 .…”

Exploring the Effect of Preoperative Stereopsis on Visual Outcomes in Hyperopic Presbyopes Treated with PresbyOND® Laser Blended Vision Micro-Monovision

“…To clarify, stereopsis is a complex visual function that allows individuals to perceive the world in three dimensions, resulting from the brain's ability to integrate different images from each eye into a single, depth-laden visual field [1]. Stated differently, stereopsis refers to the visual ability to perceive depth by integrating two slightly different images from each eye into a single, three-dimensional representation [2].…”