Monocularized Binoculars designs an optical device that improves stereopsis in binocular vision-impaired subjects, a permanent condition that affects over 700 million people. Binocular vision impairment causes diplopia, image suppression blindness and other long term symptoms that detract from visual accuracy. Such visual defects occur as a result of cerebral misinterpretations of binary visual signals in the occipital cortex, indicating that surgical methods will not improve this vision impairment. This project proposes a non-surgical solution for improving binocular vision impairment and preventing further deterioration, conducting new research into the condition. Preliminary visual aspects analyzed were image vision deviation, distance estimation, centre proportion estimation, and precision task management. Results indicated that the visual habits of a test subject affected their adaptive perceptions of other functions. An optical device was designed using double Porro-prism optical binoculars converging into an objective lens, a configuration promoting binocular image fusion without changing the occipital cortex. Thus, binocular vision is improved by reducing deviation points, assisting the brain in perceiving an improved fused image with greater visual acuity. This increases depth perception and three-dimensional viewing ability, with applications in long term vision therapy. Monocularized Binoculars improves visual performance in areas crucial to everyday life.

Grade Category: 10-12 (Grade 10)
Team Size: 1 member
Subject Area: Engineering/Computer Science
Project Type: Experimental and Descriptive Project Type III
Language: English

This website was submitted for the 2007 Canada Wide Virtual Science Fair. To access all areas of this website using the rollover menus navigation, ActiveX and script controls should be deactivated in the internet browser. References and Image Credits are available at the References page.

Software Tools:
Adobe Dreamweaver MX 2004
Adobe Fireworks MX 2004
Adobe Photoshop 7
Hardware Tools:
Microsoft Windows XP (Home Edition) Computer
Canon A95 Digital Camera

Source for Idea:
Binocular vision impairment is a problem that occurs in 700 million people, potentially leading to blindness and many other vision conditions everyday. However, there is a lack of research in this opthamologic field. As a result, this project pursues innovative directions in this field by learning more about the condition, as well as developing a method of stimulating the occipital cortex to improve and prevent further deterioration of binocular vision function.

Special Skills:
HTML
Javascript
Graphic Design

Awards Won:
Calgary Youth Science Fair 2007
Gold Medal
Devon Canada Top Intermediate Award
BP Canada Award of Excellence
Queen's University Applied Science Prize
Queen's University $1000 Scholarship
Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Travel Award (Placement on Team Calgary to the Canada-Wide Science Fair 2007)

Previous Canada Wide Virtual Science Fair Projects:
2006 - The Nerdy Tree - Eden Full
2005 - The Art of Reading Smart - Eden Full