Question

Mike was in an accident that injured his right eye. Although he'll recover, he must wear an eye patch for the next 2 weeks. During this time, Mike's doctor will not allow him to drive a car. Mike's doctor is most likely concerned with disturbances to Mike's __________. a. vestibular system b. binocular depth cues c. monocular depth cues d. kinesthetic system

Short answer

The answer is b. binocular depth cues.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Problem

In this exercise, we need to determine which of Mike's systems or functions would be affected by wearing an eye patch, thus preventing him from driving.

Analyzing Each Option

Now, let's analyze each option: - **Vestibular system:** responsible for balance and spatial orientation, not primarily related to vision. - **Binocular depth cues:** these involve using both eyes to perceive depth, heavily relying on stereopsis (depth perception). - **Monocular depth cues:** involves using only one eye to perceive depth; these include cue like size, texture gradient, etc. - **Kinesthetic system:** involves the sensation of movement or strain in muscles, not directly related to vision.

Considering the Effects of the Eye Patch

Wearing an eye patch means Mike's depth perception using two eyes (binocular depth cues) is impaired because he can only use one eye. Monocular depth cues are not disrupted by an eye patch.

Drawing a Conclusion

Given the analysis, the primary concern for Mike when wearing an eye patch is the deficiency in binocular depth perception, as this affects his ability to judge distance accurately while driving.

Key concepts

Vision Impairment

When an individual experiences vision impairment, it indicates a reduction in the ability to see. In Mike's case, wearing an eye patch doesn't damage the eye itself, but it temporarily limits his visual capability. Vision is crucial for many daily activities, especially those requiring precise spatial awareness like driving. Here's what can happen when someone's vision is impaired:
- **Reduced field of view**: Vision impairment such as having one eye patched limits the range of visual input you can receive, making it harder to see objects to the side.
- **Difficulty in motion**: With reduced visual input, coordination and balance might become a challenge, especially while moving quickly or maneuvering around obstacles.
- **Increased risk of accidents**: Due to the lack of depth cues from both eyes, tasks like driving become risky because it is harder to gauge distances.
Understanding these impacts can help us appreciate why certain precautions, like avoiding driving, are necessary during the recovery process from visual disturbances.

Depth Perception

Depth perception is the ability to judge how far away an object is. It's crucial for performing tasks that require precision, such as driving, catching a ball, or pouring a drink. Our brain determines depth by interpreting the visual input received from our eyes, and in Mike’s case, having one eye patched affects this process.
Some key points about depth perception include:
- **Binocular cues**: These require both eyes and provide a 3D view of the world. They allow us to perceive spatial relationships and depth accurately.
- **Monocular cues**: These can still function with one eye, using factors like relative size and texture to estimate distance, but they're not as precise as binocular cues.
- **Reliance on both eyes**: Our two eyes work together to create an image that our brain processes to understand depth, which is why binocular vision is essential.
With only one eye in use, Mike’s ability to perceive depth using binocular cues is impaired, hence affecting his depth perception and potentially his safety while driving.

Stereopsis

Stereopsis is a critical component of depth perception, relying on the way our brains interpret the slight differences between the images seen by our left and right eyes to create the perception of depth. This is particularly important for understanding distances and seeing in three dimensions.
Key aspects of stereopsis include:
- **Image disparity**: Our eyes are about 6 centimeters apart, each giving a slightly different view. The brain uses this difference to estimate the distance of objects.
- **Critical for 3D vision**: Without stereopsis, though we can still see the world in two dimensions using monocular cues, our ability to accurately gauge how far away an object is diminishes significantly.
- **Affected by monocular vision**: When one eye is covered, as in Mike's situation, the brain lacks the input from both eyes necessary to produce stereopsis, making tasks like driving more challenging.
With Mike wearing an eye patch, his stereopsis is compromised, making it difficult to judge distances accurately, which is crucial for safe driving.