What is retinal disparity?

Retinal disparity refers to the slight difference in the images captured by each of our eyes due to their horizontal separation in the head. This visual information is vital for depth perception, enabling the brain to calculate distances and the spatial relationships between objects. When each eye observes an object, the images are viewed from slightly different angles, resulting in differing visual information. The brain processes these differences and uses them to create a perception of three-dimensionality.

This phenomenon is particularly essential for binocular vision, as humans typically have two forward-facing eyes, which allows for a greater depth of field and a more nuanced understanding of spatial relationships. The brain integrates the two images to help us perceive the depth and position of objects relative to ourselves, which is critical for navigating through our environment effectively.