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

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of handheld digital devices and the prevalence of self-reported asthenopia among college students in China and their potential relationship. Methods: Five thousand students were randomly assessed using a self-reported asthenopia questionnaire. The students' demographic characteristics and habits regarding digital device use were recorded. Univariate analysis was performed to select potential risk factors, and multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios for the selected risk factors of interest. Results: Among the 4786 students who completed the survey, the prevalence of asthenopia was 53.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed significant relationships between asthenopia and each of the following: level of digital reliance (OR 1.350, 95%CI: 1.230-1.481), workload, time spent on computer per day, sex and time spent on handheld digital devices in bed and at desk. Aerobic exercise duration (OR 0.912, 95%CI: 0.839-0.990) was found to be strong predictor of less asthenopia complaints.Conclusion: Asthenopia appears to be common among college students in China. Preventative measures against asthenopia include limiting the amount of time spent using digital devices in bed (<0.5 h), adopting a posture of lying on one's back while doing so and engaging in aerobic exercise for more than one hour per day. Furthermore, studies on this topic are needed.

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“…; Kim et al. ). The questions were modified to reflect the characteristics of Chinese college students.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Correlation between handheld digital device use and asthenopia in Chinese college students: a Shanghai study

Deng

Wang

et al. 2018

Acta Ophthalmologica

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“…The long‐term ocular effects of smartphone and handheld digital device use are unknown. However, a range of short‐term ocular surface discomfort, visual discomfort and aesthenopic symptoms are reported with smartphones and tablets use . Ocular surface discomfort includes sore eyes, dryness, stinging, burning, itchiness and irritation.…”

Section: Summary Of Significant Effects Of Smartphone Use On Symptomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have shown one hour of tablet or smartphone use increases eye strain and blur in young adults by as much as five times . It is unclear whether these collective symptoms are due to effects on the accommodative/vergence system, the ocular surface (including blinking) or a combination of both.…”

Section: Summary Of Significant Effects Of Smartphone Use On Symptomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ocular and visual discomfort associated with smartphones, tablets and computers: what we do and do not know

Jaiswal

Asper

Long

et al. 2019

Clinical and Experimental Optometry

207

195

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Smartphone and tablet use in Australia and worldwide is reaching saturation levels and associated visual and ocular discomfort such as headaches, eyestrain, dry eyes and sore eyes are widespread. This review synthesises the available literature and considers these symptoms in the context of a binocular vision and/or ocular surface aetiology. Eye discomfort with smartphones and tablets is discussed alongside similar symptoms reported with desktop computer use. Handheld devices differ from computers in viewing position and distance, screen size and luminance, and patterns of use. Accommodation is altered with handheld device use, with increased lag and decreased amplitude. Smartphone and tablet use results in reduced fusional convergence and possibly a receded near point of convergence. This is similar to what happens with computer use. Findings related to blink rate with smartphone and tablet use are contradictory, perhaps due to the influence of task difficulty, and there is limited evidence related to blink amplitude. Reduced blink rate and amplitude are consistently reported with computer use. Use of handheld digital devices, like computers, may adversely impact tear stability. There is insufficient evidence to support the impact of handheld devices on tear volume, although this is reduced with computer use. The available literature does not conclusively link eye and visual discomfort symptoms reported with handheld digital devices, with changes in binocular vision, blinking or ocular surface. However, there is a gap in our understanding of symptoms which occur with smartphone and tablet use in the context of how these devices are used. In addition, studies are required in high users such as teenagers, and in patients with dry eye or accommodative/ binocular vision anomalies, all of whom may have a higher risk of symptoms. A better understanding of symptom aetiology can guide clinical advice to minimise adverse impacts on visual and ocular surface health and discomfort.

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“…The correlation between asthenopia and digital devices abuse has been widely reported and classified in heterogeneous population into internal ocular symptoms (strain and ache), external ocular symptoms (dryness, irritation, burning), visual symptoms (blur, double vision) and musculoskeletal symptoms (neck and shoulder pain) [1][2].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Smartphone, in particular, has become the most used device that involving everyone attention during travelling, work or school activities, at home, to dinner table, restroom and even to bed before sleeping [1][2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decompensated esophoria and asthenopia correlated with electronic screens overuse in childhood: a case report

Co¹

2018

New Front Ophthalmol

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During the last years, the incidence of asthenopia is steadily increasing into the general population due to the concomitant growth and spread of electronic screens.Young people, who often keep their eyes glued to video games, cell phones and computers all day long, even at school, are particularly exposed to eye fatigue.Displays can exacerbate preexisting visual defects or eye motility anomalies, especially if uncorrected refractive errors or labil binocular vision coexist.Herein, the case of an 11-year-old boy complained about onset of progressive eyestrain and diplopia, especially at near.A full orthoptic and ophthalmological examination was performed, revealing latent hyperopia, asthenopia and decompensated esophoria associated to transient diplopia.The aim of this case report is to highlight the possible correlation between electronic devices abuse and binocular imbalance, underlining the possible complications and the orthoptic management.

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

Cited by 104 publications

References 28 publications

Correlation between handheld digital device use and asthenopia in Chinese college students: a Shanghai study

Correlation between handheld digital device use and asthenopia in Chinese college students: a Shanghai study

Ocular and visual discomfort associated with smartphones, tablets and computers: what we do and do not know

Decompensated esophoria and asthenopia correlated with electronic screens overuse in childhood: a case report

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