Visual Fatigue Induced by Viewing a Tablet Computer with a High-resolution Display.
- Author:
Dong Ju KIM
1
;
Chi Yeon LIM
;
Namyi GU
;
Choul Yong PARK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Asthenopia; Dry eye syndrome; iPad; Smart mobile device
- MeSH: Adult; Asthenopia*; Computers, Handheld*; Dry Eye Syndromes; Female; Humans; Male; Tears; Video Games; Volunteers
- From:Korean Journal of Ophthalmology 2017;31(5):388-393
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: In the present study, the visual discomfort induced by smart mobile devices was assessed in normal and healthy adults. METHODS: Fifty-nine volunteers (age, 38.16 ± 10.23 years; male : female = 19 : 40) were exposed to tablet computer screen stimuli (iPad Air, Apple Inc.) for 1 hour. Participants watched a movie or played a computer game on the tablet computer. Visual fatigue and discomfort were assessed using an asthenopia questionnaire, tear film break-up time, and total ocular wavefront aberration before and after viewing smart mobile devices. RESULTS: Based on the questionnaire, viewing smart mobile devices for 1 hour significantly increased mean total asthenopia score from 19.59 ± 8.58 to 22.68 ± 9.39 (p < 0.001). Specifically, the scores for five items (tired eyes, sore/aching eyes, irritated eyes, watery eyes, and hot/burning eye) were significantly increased by viewing smart mobile devices. Tear film break-up time significantly decreased from 5.09 ± 1.52 seconds to 4.63 ± 1.34 seconds (p = 0.003). However, total ocular wavefront aberration was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Visual fatigue and discomfort were significantly induced by viewing smart mobile devices, even though the devices were equipped with state-of-the-art display technology.
