[Binocular functional exploration: fundamental aspects and analysis by the Fusio-Test].

After reviewing psychophysical and neurophysiological data concerning disparity processing and stereoscopic depth perception, as well as the limits of variation in perceived depth and fusion in function of binocular disparity, a new computer controlled apparatus named Fusio-Test is presented for functional binocular exploration. A battery of stereograms available in the test library made it possible to study in particular depth perception or stereoacuity, aniseikonia and fixation disparity, using the most suitable preprogrammed psychophysical procedure such as the limit method, constant stimuli, Cornsweet's psychophysical staircase, and one alternative forced choice method or multiple choice method. The test selected for each phase of the binocular examination was presented in polarized light on two Video Units. The required measurements were displayed on a small terminal and occasionally the data variations were recorded in real time. For the control of depth perception and the evaluation of stereoscopic acuity, two types of tests were programmed: line stereograms made of series of vertical lines varying in number and relative spacing or stylized shapes, random dot stereograms with different cyclopean shapes (circle, square, triangle or scaled pyramid), some of them with reduced binocular correlation according to Julesz. The originality of this apparatus for aniseikonia lies in its use of a battery of Ogle's spatial test stereograms, having incorporated vertical and horizontal magnifications ranging from 0 to 15% by 1% increments. The measurements were obtained by trying to find the pair of stereograms that must be presented to the right and the left eyes in order to eliminate the perceived distorsions (geometric or induced effect) and to recover the normal classical configuration of the spatial test. The test for fixation disparity was comprised of the Ogle arrangement with two polarized vertical lines forming a binocular nonius in the middle of a field surrounded with letters to stimulate fusion. Data for a sample of observers wearing glasses, contact lenses or implants, are presented and analyzed, bringing to light certain anomalies in binocular disparity processing. Differences in stereoacuity are noted: partial or total stereoblindness depending on the test selected (line stereograms or random dot stereograms, crossed or uncrossed disparities), on the spacing of the test elements; variations of threshold in time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)