Effects of Smart Glasses on the Binocular Vision and Ocular Fatigue

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate binocular visual function and ocular fatigue after the use of smart glasses.Methods: A total of 17 healthy volunteers (age range 13-45 years) were examined for ocular fatigue before and after watching videos for 20 minutes with a binocular smart glasses device. Subjective ocular fatigue was evaluated using a Virtual Reality Symptom Questionnaire (VRSQ). Objective fatigue was measured using the high-frequency component of accommodative microfluctuation. Accommodation amplitude was measured using the push-up method. Changes in the spherical equivalent were also measured using an autorefractometer. Strabismus angles were measured at distant (6 m) and near fixation (33 cm) in primary. Contrast sensitivity tests using the Pelli-Robson chart was performed. Accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) ratio was measured by gradient methods.Results: Subjective ocular fatigue, as indicated by the VRSQ scores, significantly increased after using the smart glasses (<i>p</i> = 0.001). The high-frequency component of accommodative microfluctuation increased in both eyes (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Accommodation amplitude was decreased, and temporary myopia was observed in both eyes (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). However, there was no significant increase in general fatigue according to the VRSQ. Parameters including strabismus angle, AC/A ratio, and contrast sensitivity showed no significant differences before and after smart glasses usage (<i>p</i> > 0.05).Conclusions: The increased high-frequency component of accommodative microfluctuation, decreased accommodation amplitude, and elevated ocular fatigue scores measured by the VRSQ indicate a potential association between the use of smart glasses and ocular fatigue. Further investigations are warranted to explore methodologies for mitigating ocular fatigue and elucidating the potential risk of temporary myopic shifts arising from the utilization of smart glasses.