The relationship between stereopsis and monocular optokinetic optokinetic nystagmus after infantile cataracts.
OBJECTIVE
Visual deprivation disrupting binocular development, such as that occurring with congenital cataract, is reported to cause asymmetric monocular optokinetic nystagmus (MOKN), as well as poor sensory and motorfusional outcome. We wanted to determine if symmetric MOKN could develop in cases of congenital cataract with good fusional outcome.


METHODS
We tested MOKN (with video and electro-oculographic recordings) and stereoacuity on 5 patients with good visual acuity and satisfactory ocular alignment after surgery for congenital cataract.


RESULTS
Stereoacuity was better than 50 seconds of arc in 1 case of monocular cataract and 2 cases of bilateral cataract. These case patients had symmetric MOKN. In a monocular cataract case, symmetric MOKN was observed in spite of questionable stereoacuity (at least 500 arc/s). One patient showed asymmetric MOKN, despite good visual acuity, and stereoacuity of 200 arc/s.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with congenital cataract can have symmetric MOKN and good stereopsis. These cases suggest that MOKN symmetry develops along with good stereopsis, but the quality of stereopsis necessary for development of MOKN symmetry remains unclear.
Hwang
J M
JM
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Municipal Boramae Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
Matsumoto
E R
ER
Borchert
M S
MS
D001036:Aphakia, Postcataract / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D004585:Electrooculography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017120:Nystagmus, Optokinetic / Q000502:physiology*; D014741:Video Recording; D015348:Vision, Binocular / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014821:Vitrectomy