Visual Fatigue Induced by Viewing a Tablet Computer with a High-resolution Display

Overview

Journal Korean J Ophthalmol

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 2017 Sep 16

PMID 28914003

Citations 30

Authors

Dong Ju Kim

Chi Yeon Lim

Namyi Gu

Choul Yong Park

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

Citing Articles

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