J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2010 Oct;51(10):1327-1332.

The Objective Methods to Evaluate Ocular Fatigue Associated With Computer Work

• Suh YW
• Kim KH
• Kang SY
• Kim SW
• Oh JR
• Kim HM
• Song JS

Abstract

PURPOSE
To develop methods for the objective measurement of ocular fatigue.
METHODS
Fifteen patients were enrolled in the present study. Subjects performed visual tasks on a computer for one hour. A survey of ocular fatigue was conducted with a questionnaire. Tear break-up time, blinking rate, ocular protection index, conjunctival injection, maximal blinking interval, temperature of the ocular surface, and visual evoked potential were evaluated before and immediately after the task. Surface electromyography of the orbicularis oculi muscle was performed before and during the task.
RESULTS
The survey showed increases in subjective ocular fatigue in all subjects. Tear break-up time, ocular protection index and maximal blinking interval decreased, while temperature of the ocular surface increased after the task. Conjunctival injection showed a tendency to increase. Electromyography, and visual evoked potential did not change significantly.
CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, tear break-up time, ocular protection index, maximal blinking interval, and temperature of the ocular surface changed as ocular fatigue increased. Therefore, these measures can be objectively used for the evaluation of ocular fatigue.

Keyword

Asthenopia; Dry eye; Ocular fatigue

MeSH Terms

Asthenopia
Blinking
Electromyography
Evoked Potentials, Visual
Fatigue
Humans
Muscles
Surveys and Questionnaires

Figure

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  Figure 1. The non-contact thermometer.

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  Figure 2. (A) The surface electromyography (EMG) of orbucularis oculi muscle. (B) The wave pattern of EMG while a subject blinks. (C) The wave pattern of EMG while a subject squints.

Reference

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