Skip to content
  1. 50 Years Supporting Paediatric Vision Testing Worldwide Since 1975

Supporting Elderly Patients

Stereovision plays a critical role in navigating daily life safely and independently, especially for elderly individuals. The Frisby Stereotest provides a simple yet effective way to assess depth perception in older patients, helping to detect age-related changes in stereovision that could impact their quality of life.

Why Test Stereovision in Elderly Patients?

As people age, their visual system naturally undergoes changes that can affect depth perception, often due to conditions such as:

  • Cataracts – Clouding of the eye’s lens, which can impair binocular vision.
  • Macular degeneration – Damage to the central retina, reducing the ability to perceive fine details and depth.
  • Glaucoma – Progressive damage to the optic nerve, which can result in blind spots that disrupt stereovision.
  • Strabismus or latent eye misalignment – Some elderly patients develop an unnoticed eye misalignment that affects depth perception.
  • Stroke or neurological conditions – These can impair binocular coordination, leading to issues with stereopsis.

Testing with the Frisby Stereotest allows optometrists, ophthalmologists, and orthoptists to monitor these changes over time and identify conditions that may be treatable.

How Poor Stereovision Affects Daily Life

Elderly individuals with compromised depth perception may struggle with:

  • Judging distances when walking, increasing the risk of tripping or falling.
  • Navigating stairs and uneven surfaces safely for example walking on pebbles can be a special hazard if stereovision is compromised 
  • Driving safely, as depth perception is crucial for gauging distances between vehicles.
  • Performing everyday tasks, such as pouring liquids, reaching for objects, or stepping off curbs.

Falls, in particular, are a major health concern in older adults, often leading to serious injuries. By assessing and addressing stereovision deficits early, clinicians can help reduce fall risk and improve overall mobility and confidence.

How the Frisby Stereotest Helps in Management

The Frisby Stereotest provides a natural, real-depth assessment of stereovision without requiring special glasses, making it an ideal tool for elderly patients, who may struggle with polaroid or red-green filters used in other stereotests.

Regular stereovision testing can help:

  • Track changes in depth perception over time.
  • Guide decisions on vision correction, such as cataract surgery or prism lenses.
  • Identify patients who may benefit from visual rehabilitation or balance training.
  • Support discussions on driving safety and fall prevention.

By incorporating stereovision testing into routine elderly eye care, clinicians can help preserve independence, enhance safety, and improve overall quality of life for older adults.