Bagolini Striated Glasses Test

A test used in ophthalmology to assess binocular vision

Bagolini Striated Glasses Test

The Bagolini Striated Glasses Test is a diagnostic tool used in ophthalmology to evaluate binocular vision and detect strabismus and suppression. It is particularly useful for assessing the presence of microtropia and binocular single vision (BSV).

Bagolini Striated Glasses Test showing binocular single vision

Principle

The test involves the use of special glasses with striations, which are worn by the patient. These striations create a pattern of light that helps in determining how the eyes are working together. When a patient looks at a point light source through the Bagolini glasses, each eye perceives a line of light perpendicular to the striations. The orientation and intersection of these lines provide information about the patient's binocular vision.

Procedure

The patient is asked to wear the Bagolini striated glasses and look at a small light source, such as a penlight, in a dimly lit room. The examiner then asks the patient to describe what they see. Normally, a patient with proper binocular vision will see two intersecting lines forming an "X" shape with the light source at the center.

Suppression of vision in one eye

Interpretation

• Normal Binocular Vision: The patient sees two lines intersecting at the light source, indicating that both eyes are working together properly.
• Suppression: If one eye is suppressing, the patient will see only one line, indicating that the brain is ignoring the input from the suppressed eye.
• Strabismus: If the lines do not intersect at the light source, it suggests a misalignment of the eyes, indicating strabismus.
• Microtropia: A small misalignment may be detected if the lines are slightly off-center, which is indicative of microtropia.

Microtropia detected using Bagolini Striated Glasses Test

Advantages

The Bagolini Striated Glasses Test is non-invasive and easy to administer. It provides valuable information about the functional status of the eyes in a natural viewing condition, unlike other tests that may require dissociation of the eyes.

Limitations

While the test is useful for detecting suppression and small-angle strabismus, it may not be as effective in diagnosing large-angle strabismus or in patients with poor visual acuity.

Manifest strabismus as seen in Bagolini Striated Glasses Test

Related pages

• Strabismus
• Binocular vision
• Microtropia
• Suppression (eye)