The effect of videoconferencing on the depth perception of observers

The ability of the human eye to perceive depth was measured using a special ly designed instrument. Visual acuity and both monocular and binocular ster eoacuity were measured when viewing the instrument directly and via a video conferencing link. Ten subjects with an average age of 32.5 years (range 24 -50) took part in the study. The group mean visual acuity using both eyes u nder normal test conditions was -0.04 logMAR (Snellen 6/5) compared with 0. 18 logMAR (Snellen 6/10) for the video-link. The mean stereoacuity using bo th eyes was 37" (SD 18") under normal test conditions. When a videoconferen cing link was used, the mean stereoacuity fell to 1218" (SD 1203") using on e eye and to 1651" (SD 1419") using both eyes. The ability to perceive dept h remotely via a video-link was significantly decreased compared with norma l test conditions.