Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (1,015 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A condition in which the ocular image of an object as seen by one eye differs in size and shape from that seen by the other.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Refractive Errors
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 448 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Aniseikonia” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 36 of them (8.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 348 records.
Reviews account for 18 records (4.0%) and meta-analyses for 0. Randomized controlled trials number 2 (0.4%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 348 |
| 2000-2009 | 31 |
| 2010-2019 | 33 |
| 2020 onward | 36 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 18 | 4.0% |
| Meta-analyses | 0 | 0.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 2 | 0.4% |
Method: PubMed query "Aniseikonia"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in eye, ear, nose and throat
Eye, hearing, nose and throat studies rely on specialist tests (visual acuity, eye pressure, audiograms, scopes) and on patient-reported symptoms, which vary between people and with age. Some conditions improve without treatment, so comparison groups matter. Nothing on this page is advice about diagnosis or treatment; sudden loss of sight or hearing needs urgent care from a qualified clinician. Check how the outcome was tested, the age of the people studied and how long they were followed.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparative analysis of metamorphopsia and aniseikonia after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane, macular hole, or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment | 2020 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 20 | cc by PMID 32384099 · DOI · PMC7209121 |
| Changes in aniseikonia and influencing-factors following successful macula-off retinal detachment surgery | 2019 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 17 | cc by PMID 31406166 · DOI · PMC6690871 |
| The effects of optically and digitally simulated aniseikonia on stereopsis | 2022 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 7 | cc by PMID 35253250 · DOI · PMC9311818 |
| Orbicularis oculi muscle activity during computer reading under different degrees of artificially-induced aniseikonia | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 38770099 · DOI · PMC11104340 |
Comparative analysis of metamorphopsia and aniseikonia after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane, macular hole, or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- This study investigated postoperative changes in metamorphopsia and aniseikonia in eyes that underwent vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM), macular hole (MH), or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).
- Closing excerpt
- Macular morphologies could contribute to differences in postoperative visual acuity, metamorphopsia, and aniseikonia.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (299 words)
This study investigated postoperative changes in metamorphopsia and aniseikonia in eyes that underwent vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM), macular hole (MH), or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). In total, 166 eyes were included from 166 patients with ERM, MH, or RRD who underwent primary vitrectomy. Metamorphopsia and aniseikonia were quantified by M-CHARTS and the New Aniseikonia Test (NAT). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), M-CHARTS, NAT assessments, and OCT examination were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Of the 166 eyes, 65 had ERM, 21 had MH, 42 had macula-off RRD, and 38 had macula-on RRD. BCVA improved significantly between 1 and 6 months postoperatively in eyes with ERM, MH, and macula-off RRD (P = 0.0057, P = 0.0065, and P = 0.0021, respectively). M-CHARTS scores at 1 month postoperatively significantly decreased in eyes with ERM (P = 0.0034) and tended to decrease in eyes with MH (P = 0.068). NAT scores did not change between baseline and 1 month postoperatively in eyes with ERM or MH. Between 1 and 6 months postoperatively, M-CHARTS and NAT scores significantly decreased in eyes with macula-off RRD (P = 0.0064 and P = 0.0009, respectively), but not in eyes with ERM, MH, or macula-on RRD. At 6 months postoperatively, significant metamorphopsia was evident in 33.3% of eyes with ERM, 29.2% of eyes with MH, and 35.7% of eyes with macula-off RRD; 61.5% of eyes with ERM showed macropsia and 52.3% of eyes with macula-off RRD showed micropsia. In eyes with ERM, more central retinal thickness (CRT) correlated with postoperative BCVA, and deep retinal folds on enface OCT image correlated with postoperative metamorphopsia. In eyes with macula-off RRD, less CRT correlated with postoperative BCVA, and tended to correlate with postoperative micropsia. Macular morphologies could contribute to differences in postoperative visual acuity, metamorphopsia, and aniseikonia.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32384099 · DOI · PMC7209121
Changes in aniseikonia and influencing-factors following successful macula-off retinal detachment surgery [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- This study investigated the changes in the severity of aniseikonia after surgery for macula-off retinal detachment (RD), and the relationship between aniseikonia and retinal microstructures.
- Closing excerpt
- Aniseikonia was associated with presence of postoperative CME, ERM, and area of preoperative RD.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (199 words)
This study investigated the changes in the severity of aniseikonia after surgery for macula-off retinal detachment (RD), and the relationship between aniseikonia and retinal microstructures. The study included 26 eyes of 26 patients undergoing RD surgery. Visual acuity was measured preoperatively, and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Degree of aniseikonia and OCT images were obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The aniseikonia values (mean ± standard deviation) at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were -5.3 ± 4.2%, -4.4 ± 4.4%, and -3.1 ± 3.2%, respectively. Significant improvement was observed from 3 to 12 months postoperatively (P = 0.001). Twelve months postoperatively, 14 eyes had micropsia, 1 eye had macropsia, and 11 eyes were free of aniseikonia. Stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that the severity of aniseikonia at 12 months postoperatively was significantly associated with postoperative development of cystoid macular edema (CME) and epiretinal membrane (ERM), as well as area of preoperative RD. In conclusion, although aniseikonia was gradually relieved after RD surgery during a 1-year follow-up period, approximately half of patients had aniseikonia and almost all of them had micropsia. Aniseikonia was associated with presence of postoperative CME, ERM, and area of preoperative RD.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31406166 · DOI · PMC6690871
The effects of optically and digitally simulated aniseikonia on stereopsis [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeTo simulate both lens-induced and screen-induced aniseikonia, and to assess its influence on stereopsis.
- Closing excerpt
- The ability to neutralise refractive aniseikonia using a computer-based method, which is the basis of digital clinical measurement, was reasonably successful for overall and ×180 meridional aniseikonia, but not very successful for ×90 aniseikonia.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (288 words)
PurposeTo simulate both lens-induced and screen-induced aniseikonia, and to assess its influence on stereopsis. Additionally, to determine if screen-based size differences could neutralise the effects of lens-induced aniseikonia.MethodA four-circle (4-C) paradigm was developed, where one circle appears in front or behind the others because of crossed or uncrossed disparity. This stereotest was used for three investigations: (1) Comparison with the McGill modified random dot stereogram (RDS), with anisometropia introduced with +2 D spheres and cylinders, and with aniseikonia introduced with 6% overall and 6% meridional (×180, ×90) magnifiers before the right eye; (2) Comparison of lens-induced and screen-induced 6% overall and meridional magnifications and (3) Determining if lens and screen effects neutralised, by opposing 6% lens-induced magnification to the right eye with screen-inducements of either 6% left eye magnification or 6% right eye minification. A pilot study of the effect of masking versus not masking the surround was also conducted.ResultsThe 4-C test gave higher stereo-thresholds than the RDS test by 0.5 ± 0.2 log units across both anisometropic and aniseikonic conditions. However, variations in power, meridian and magnification affected the two tests similarly. The pilot study indicated that surround masking improved neutralisation of screen and lens effects. With masking, lens-induced and screen-induced magnifications increased stereo-thresholds similarly. With lens and screen effects opposed, for most participants stereo-thresholds returned to baseline for overall and ×180 magnifications, but not for ×90 magnification. Only three of seven participants showed good compensation for ×90 magnification.ConclusionsEffects of lens-induced aniseikonia on stereopsis cannot always be successfully simulated with a screen-based method. The ability to neutralise refractive aniseikonia using a computer-based method, which is the basis of digital clinical measurement, was reasonably successful for overall and ×180 meridional aniseikonia, but not very successful for ×90 aniseikonia.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 35253250 · DOI · PMC9311818
Orbicularis oculi muscle activity during computer reading under different degrees of artificially-induced aniseikonia [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundAniseikonia is a binocular vision disorder that has been associated with asthenopic symptoms.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings may be of relevance to better understand the visual symptomatology of aniseikonia.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (229 words)
BackgroundAniseikonia is a binocular vision disorder that has been associated with asthenopic symptoms. However, asthenopia has been evaluated with subjective tests that make difficult to determine the level of aniseikonia. This study aims to objectively evaluate the impact of induced aniseikonia at different levels on visual fatigue by measuring the orbicularis oculi muscle activity in the dominant and non-dominant eyes while performing a reading task.MethodsTwenty-four collegiate students (24.00 ± 3.86 years) participated in this study. Participants read a passage for 7 minutes under four degrees of aniseikonia (0%, 3%, 5% and 10%) at 50 cm. Orbicularis oculi muscle activity of the dominant and non-dominant eye was recorded by surface electromyography. In addition, visual discomfort was assessed after each task by completing a questionnaire.ResultsOrbicularis oculi muscle activity increased under induced aniseikonia (i.e., greater values for the 10% condition in comparison to 0%, and 3% conditions (p = 0.034 and p = 0.023, respectively)). No statistically significant differences were observed in orbicularis oculi muscle activity for the time on task and between the dominant and non-dominant eyes. Additionally, higher levels of subjective visual discomfort were observed for lower degrees of induced aniseikonia.ConclusionInduced aniseikonia increases visual fatigue at high aniseikonia degrees as measured by the orbicularis oculi muscle activity, and at low degrees as measured with subjective questionnaires. These findings may be of relevance to better understand the visual symptomatology of aniseikonia.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38770099 · DOI · PMC11104340
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Aniseikonia and anisometropia: implications for suppression and amblyopia [5]
- Research article Contemporary management of aniseikonia [6]
- Research article Anisophoria and aniseikonia. Part I. The relation between optical anisophoria and aniseikonia [7]
- Research article ANISEIKONIA. A PRESENT APPRAISAL AND SOME PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS [8]
- Research article Clinical usefulness of the Aniseikonia Inspector: a review [9]
- Research article [Anisometropia and aniseikonia--unsolved problems of cataract surgery] [10]
References
- Fukuyama H, Ishikawa H, Komuku Y, Araki T, Kimura N, Gomi F. Comparative analysis of metamorphopsia and aniseikonia after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane, macular hole, or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. . 2020. PMID 32384099 · DOI · PMC7209121
- Murakami T, Okamoto F, Sugiura Y, Okamoto Y, Hiraoka T, Oshika T. Changes in aniseikonia and influencing-factors following successful macula-off retinal detachment surgery. . 2019. PMID 31406166 · DOI · PMC6690871
- Atchison DA, Nguyen T, Schmid KL, Rakshit A, Baldwin AS, Hess RF. The effects of optically and digitally simulated aniseikonia on stereopsis. . 2022. PMID 35253250 · DOI · PMC9311818
- Redondo B, Vera J, Molina R, Molina-Molina A, Jiménez R. Orbicularis oculi muscle activity during computer reading under different degrees of artificially-induced aniseikonia. . 2024. PMID 38770099 · DOI · PMC11104340
- South J, Gao T, Collins A, Turuwhenua J, Robertson K, Black J. Aniseikonia and anisometropia: implications for suppression and amblyopia. Clin Exp Optom. 2019. PMID 30791133 · DOI
- Achiron LR, Witkin N, Primo S, Broocker G. Contemporary management of aniseikonia. Surv Ophthalmol. 1997. PMID 9104769 · DOI
- Remole A. Anisophoria and aniseikonia. Part I. The relation between optical anisophoria and aniseikonia. Optom Vis Sci. 1989. PMID 2685706 · DOI
- BERENS C, BANNON RE. ANISEIKONIA. A PRESENT APPRAISAL AND SOME PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS. Arch Ophthalmol. 1963. PMID 14065012 · DOI
- de Wit GC. Clinical usefulness of the Aniseikonia Inspector: a review. Binocul Vis Strabismus Q. 2008. PMID 19132952
- Langenbucher A, Szentmáry N. [Anisometropia and aniseikonia--unsolved problems of cataract surgery]. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd. 2008. PMID 18759207 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.