Visual Fatigue Induced by Viewing a Tablet Computer with a Highresolution Display

Abstract

Purpose: In the present study, the visual discomfort induced by smart mobile devices was assessed in normaland healthy adults. Methods: Fifty-nine volunteers (age, 38.16 ± 10.23 years; male : female = 19 : 40) were exposed to tabletcomputer screen stimuli (iPad Air, Apple Inc.) for 1 hour. Participants watched a movie or played a computergame 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 mobiledevices. Results: Based on the questionnaire, viewing smart mobile devices for 1 hour significantly increased meantotal 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 increasedby viewing smart mobile devices. Tear film break-up time significantly decreased from 5.09 ± 1.52 secondsto 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, eventhough the devices were equipped with state-of-the-art display technology.