Near Vision Tasks and Optical Quality of the Eye.

Jessica Rafaela Moreira Gomes,Sandra Maria De Braga Franco

doi:10.18502/jovr.v16i4.9753

Jessica Rafaela Moreira Gomes, Sandra Maria De Braga Franco

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.18502/jovr.v16i4.9753

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Abstract

PurposeTo study the effect of near-vision reading task on optical quality of the eye when performed on a computer monitor and on printed paper, and to identify which of the two results in greater changes.MethodsTwo groups of subjects performed a 30-min reading task in two different conditions: on a computer monitor and on printed paper. Ocular, corneal, and internal wavefront aberrations (Zernike coefficients up to 6 order), root-mean-square of low- and high-order aberrations, spherical equivalent, vectoral components of ocular astigmatism (J45 and J0), and the compensation factor between internal and corneal aberrations were measured before and after the tasks. Their changes were analyzed in each group and between groups.ResultsStatistically significant changes in wavefront aberrations and in root mean square of low- and high-order aberrations were observed in both groups which was significantly greater when the task was performed on printed paper. Partial loss of compensation mechanism and variation in spherical equivalent in a negative direction occurred after both reading tasks; however, it was statistically significant only with printed paper reading task. The vectoral components of ocular astigmatism did not show statistically significant changes in either groups.ConclusionNear-vision reading tasks can change the optical quality of the eye, especially when the task is performed on printed paper.

Highlights

All symptoms were more intense during the reading task on computer except for blurred vision at far, which was worse for the task performed on paper
Two groups of subjects participated in the study; a group with 19 subjects who performed a reading task on a computer screen and another group with 34 subjects who performed the same task on printed paper
The results of this study showed that all within-subject standard deviation (Sw) for corneal power measurements were 0.982

Summary

Introduction

Near Vision Tasks and Optical Quality; Gomes et al. Many ocular symptoms including eye strain, headache, ocular discomfort, double vision, and blurred vision at near and far distance are linked to the use of these devices.[1, 2] These symptoms are more common in subjects who spend over 4 hr on electronic devices and increase significantly in individuals who use electronic devices for more than 7 hr a day.[2] Some studies were designed to explain the cause for these symptoms that affect around 90% of the electronic device users.[1, 3] Some studies[1,2,3,4,5,6,7] reported the effect of computer screen use on visual system, and others[7, 10] about the same parameters but on the paper. All symptoms were more intense during the reading task on computer except for blurred vision at far, which was worse for the task performed on paper

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