Crossed and uncrossed stereoacuity at distance and the effect from heterophoria

Background: Previous studies have found that crossed disparities give better stereoacuity than uncrossed. When near phoria is considered, exophores had a better crossed stereoacuity and esophores had a better uncrossed stereoacuity. The current study investigated the effect of heterophoria on distant crossed and uncrossed stereoacuity. Methods: Seventy-two subjects were recruited and their distant heterophoria measured. Heterophoria within two prism dioptres was considered as orthophoric. Esophoric group had esophoria greater than two prism dioptres. Exophoric group had exophoria greater than two prism dioptres. There were 40 orthophores, 23 exophores and nine esophores. Their stereoacuity was measured with a three-rod apparatus at 6 m. Results: The mean crossed stereoacuity was 4.8″ and uncrossed stereoacuity was 7.2″ (t=−3.03, p