Change of Stereoacuity with Aging in Normal Eyes

PURPOSE: Stereopsis in normal subjects aged between 7 and 76 years was compared to examine changes in stereopsis with age. METHODS: Eighty subjects with no ocular disease were divided into 8 groups by age. Near stereopsis was evaluated with the TNO, Titmus, and Randot tests; distance stereopsis with the Mentor B-VAT II video acuity tester. RESULTS: The results of all 4 tests showed decreased stereopsis with increasing age (p<0.05). Compared to the stereoacuity of 7 to 10-year-old group, both the TNO and distance stereopsis test results were significantly decreased for the 6th, 7th, and 8th decade groups, while both the Titmus and Randot test results were significantly decreased for the 8th decade group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, both near and distance stereopsis decreased with increasing age. Thus, decreased stereopsis should be taken into account when performing the stereopsis test.