Stereopsis

This article is about depth perception. For the genus of fungus, see Stereopsis (fungus).

Stereopsis (from Ancient Greek στερεός (stereós) 'solid' and ὄψις (ópsis) 'appearance, sight') is the component of depth perception retrieved through binocular vision.[1] Stereopsis is not the only contributor to depth perception, but it is a major one. Binocular vision happens because each eye receives a different image because they are in slightly different positions in one's head (left and right eyes). These positional differences are referred to as "horizontal disparities" or, more generally, "binocular disparities". Disparities are processed in the visual cortex of the brain to yield depth perception. While binocular disparities are naturally present when viewing a real three-dimensional scene with two eyes, they can also be simulated by artificially presenting two different images separately to each eye using a method called stereoscopy. The perception of depth in such cases is also referred to as "stereoscopic depth".[1]

The perception of depth and three-dimensional structure is, however, possible with information visible from one eye alone, such as differences in object size and motion parallax (differences in the image of an object over time with observer movement),[2] though the impression of depth in these cases is often not as vivid as that obtained from binocular disparities.[3] Therefore, the term stereopsis (or stereoscopic depth) can also refer specifically to the unique impression of depth associated with binocular vision (colloquially referred to as seeing "in 3D").

It has been suggested that the impression of "real" separation in depth is linked to the precision with which depth is derived, and that a conscious awareness of this precision – perceived as an impression of interactability and realness – may help guide the planning of motor action.[4]

  1. ^ a b Howard IP, Rogers BJ (1995). Binocular vision and stereopsis. New York: Oxford University Press.
  2. ^ Howard IP, Rogers BJ (2012). Perceiving in Depth. Volume 3. New York: Oxford University Press."
  3. ^ Barry S (2009). Fixing My Gaze: A Scientist's Journey into Seeing in Three Dimensions. New York: Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-7867-4474-9."
  4. ^ Vishwanath D (April 2014). "Toward a new theory of stereopsis". Psychological Review. 121 (2): 151–78. doi:10.1037/a0035233. hdl:10023/5325. PMID 24730596.