Monocular vision :/

[Ar2]

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Hello everyone!

I just got back from my an eye oppointment, and was curious whether or not I had stereo acuity in one of my eyes (I had congenial ptosis in my left eye when I was born). I've never had a problem with seeing things, and I played numerous sport throughout high school and college (baseball, football, basketball etc.). Although I see fine, I have always noticed my vision has been one eye dominant. I took the fly test today, and found out that I pretty much have no stereo acuity. So I guess my question is, would this fact alone keep me out of pursuing a career in ophthalmology? (I know it is extremely competitive to match into, but humor me). Everything else aside, would this keep me out of residency programs? I feel like since I have been like this all of my life, that I have "adapted" to it, and I am able to see fine. I'm not sure if since it was a problem since I was young, that my brain was plastic enough to adapt and pick up on other clues to to aid in m vision. So, is the fact that I don't "truly" have binocular vision/depth perception going to ultimately seal my fate IF I was to pursue a career in ophthalmology? Thank you for all the help in advance. It means a great deal to me.

- Ar2

 

[LightBox]

Hello everyone!

I just got back from my an eye oppointment, and was curious whether or not I had stereo acuity in one of my eyes (I had congenial ptosis in my left eye when I was born). I've never had a problem with seeing things, and I played numerous sport throughout high school and college (baseball, football, basketball etc.). Although I see fine, I have always noticed my vision has been one eye dominant. I took the fly test today, and found out that I pretty much have no stereo acuity. So I guess my question is, would this fact alone keep me out of pursuing a career in ophthalmology? (I know it is extremely competitive to match into, but humor me). Everything else aside, would this keep me out of residency programs? I feel like since I have been like this all of my life, that I have "adapted" to it, and I am able to see fine. I'm not sure if since it was a problem since I was young, that my brain was plastic enough to adapt and pick up on other clues to to aid in m vision. So, is the fact that I don't "truly" have binocular vision/depth perception going to ultimately seal my fate IF I was to pursue a career in ophthalmology? Thank you for all the help in advance. It means a great deal to me.

- Ar2

This has been discussed on other threads before.

The bottom line is this: do you really want the stress of trying to perform intraocular surgery without stereopsis? Trust me, intraocular surgery is stressful enough as it is... but doing it without stereopsis seems like a sure way toward a perforated gastric ulcer. Not to criticize you or anything, but patients deserve to have a surgeon who does not have this physical limitation. Would you let your mother have cataract surgery by someone without stereopsis? Of course, you could decide to do a subspecialty that does not depend on stereopsis as much (e.g. oculoplastics, peds, neuro-op), but you still have to get through residency.

There is a bright world outside of Ophthalmology! e.g. Radiology, Anesthesiology, etc.

 

[Shnurek]

So I guess my question is, would this fact alone keep me out of pursuing a career in ophthalmology?

Yes. The fly is measuring your gross stereoacuity so it is like 3000 seconds of arc (depending on the test) while the average for humans is 20 seconds of arc. Trained observers can distinguish up to 2 seconds of arc. So if you cannot see 3000 or so then you are way off unfortunately. I have somewhat poor stereoacuity at around 100 seconds of arc so even for me this is one of the reasons I did not pursue ophthalmology. And yes they do test your stereopsis for ophthalmology residency programs.

 

[xanthomondo]

This has been discussed on other threads before.

The bottom line is this: do you really want the stress of trying to perform intraocular surgery without stereopsis? Trust me, intraocular surgery is stressful enough as it is... but doing it without stereopsis seems like a sure way toward a perforated gastric ulcer. Not to criticize you or anything, but patients deserve to have a surgeon who does not have this physical limitation. Would you let your mother have cataract surgery by someone without stereopsis? Of course, you could decide to do a subspecialty that does not depend on stereopsis as much (e.g. oculoplastics, peds, neuro-op), but you still have to get through residency.

There is a bright world outside of Ophthalmology! e.g. Radiology, Anesthesiology, etc.

It's ironic that you chose radiologist as the first "bright world" outside of ophtho

 

[guttata]

Hello everyone!

I just got back from my an eye oppointment, and was curious whether or not I had stereo acuity in one of my eyes (I had congenial ptosis in my left eye when I was born). I've never had a problem with seeing things, and I played numerous sport throughout high school and college (baseball, football, basketball etc.). Although I see fine, I have always noticed my vision has been one eye dominant. I took the fly test today, and found out that I pretty much have no stereo acuity. So I guess my question is, would this fact alone keep me out of pursuing a career in ophthalmology? (I know it is extremely competitive to match into, but humor me). Everything else aside, would this keep me out of residency programs? I feel like since I have been like this all of my life, that I have "adapted" to it, and I am able to see fine. I'm not sure if since it was a problem since I was young, that my brain was plastic enough to adapt and pick up on other clues to to aid in m vision. So, is the fact that I don't "truly" have binocular vision/depth perception going to ultimately seal my fate IF I was to pursue a career in ophthalmology? Thank you for all the help in advance. It means a great deal to me.

- Ar2

It may not keep you out of programs (only a minority of programs require a screening exam), but it will be very difficult to finish residency. Go to the wet lab at your program and ask the residents if you could borrow a pig eye to practice suturing under the microscope. It will be very difficult without stereo.

 

[parzone]

This might sound silly- but if I was able to see 3d under the divinci robot hood, does this mean I have stereopsis? I have noticed recently that when I close one eye the other is slightly off line from whatever I was focusing on.

 

[Visionary]

This might sound silly- but if I was able to see 3d under the divinci robot hood, does this mean I have stereopsis? I have noticed recently that when I close one eye the other is slightly off line from whatever I was focusing on.

Could just be a phoria. Need formal testing to know for sure.

 

[mydodger]

Of course, you could decide to do a subspecialty that does not depend on stereopsis as much (e.g. oculoplastics, peds, neuro-op), but you still have to get through residency.

I think if the OP really likes Ophtho then this could be a viable option. I know there are probably some med retina guys that could practice absolutely fine with one eye. Whether or not this career path is desirable or advisable I couldn't say.

Yes. The fly is measuring your gross stereoacuity so it is like 3000 seconds of arc (depending on the test) while the average for humans is 20 seconds of arc. Trained observers can distinguish up to 2 seconds of arc. So if you cannot see 3000 or so then you are way off unfortunately. I have somewhat poor stereoacuity at around 100 seconds of arc so even for me this is one of the reasons I did not pursue ophthalmology. And yes they do test your stereopsis for ophthalmology residency programs.

Actually most programs don't test stereopsis. On the sfmatch I think I saw maybe three programs that said they require a recent stereo test sent with your application. I don't even know how many seconds of arc I can see. I can see all the circles (Wirt rings maybe?) in the fly test book and that's all the stereo testing I've ever had done.

 

[Visionary]

I know there are probably some med retina guys that could practice absolutely fine with one eye. Whether or not this career path is desirable or advisable I couldn't say.

Um, no.

Sent from my Droid Incredible on SDN Mobile

 

[Shnurek]

Actually most programs don't test stereopsis. On the sfmatch I think I saw maybe three programs that said they require a recent stereo test sent with your application. I don't even know how many seconds of arc I can see. I can see all the circles (Wirt rings maybe?) in the fly test book and that's all the stereo testing I've ever had done.

Still its not something that can really be trained to a large extent. The critical period has passed, I guess I should have played more sports while younger lol. I talked to an ophtho today he said he knows a one eyed ophthalmologist and he operates. So he was like don't let poor stereoacuity stop you.

 

[cubsrule4e]

Still its not something that can really be trained to a large extent. The critical period has passed, I guess I should have played more sports while younger lol. I talked to an ophtho today he said he knows a one eyed ophthalmologist and he operates. So he was like don't let poor stereoacuity stop you.

One eyed OMD vs 2 eyed Shnurek. Let the games begin!

 

[dantt]

The bottom line is this: do you really want the stress of trying to perform intraocular surgery without stereopsis? Trust me, intraocular surgery is stressful enough as it is... but doing it without stereopsis seems like a sure way toward a perforated gastric ulcer.

I first I thought you meant stereopsis was so off you're hitting stomach doing eye surgery

 

[hadess18]

Hey guys! Well I am a med School graduate and currently an optho resident. I am working in europe, and here the medical career is a lot different, so i didn't have to pass any Stereo tests through these years. Somehow I am sorry I didn't because now I am very concerned about my career as an ophthalmologist. At least as a optho surgeon. I've started a few months ago, so can't really answer your question accurately, but I would myself need some more information from you guys.
My condition: I have an amblyopic left eye with 60% vision, and problems with some slit lamps(not all of them) by seeing double images.

Does any of you have experience with such cases? Will it be a problem to become a 'conservative' ophthalmologist (with no surgery involved?) - here you can choose if you want to surgery, most of the optho doctor DON'T!