Correlation between Eye Movements and Asthenopia: A Prospective Observational Study

Purpose: To analyze the correlation between eye movements and asthenopia so as to explore the possibility of using eye-tracking techniques for objective assessment of asthenopia. Methods: : This prospective observational study used the computer visual syndrome questionnaire to assess the severity of asthenopia in 93 enrolled college students who complained about asthenopia. Binocular accommodation and eye movements during the reading task were also examined. The correlations between the questionnaire score and accommodation examination results and eye movements parameters were analyzed. Differences in eye movement parameters between the first and last reading paragraphs were compared. The trends in eye movement changes over time were observed. Results: : About 81.7% subjects suffered from computer visual syndrome.The computer visual syndrome questionnaire total score was positively correlated with positive relative accommodation ( P <.05). In the first reading paragraph, a double vision was positively correlated with the unknown saccades (all P <.05). Difficulty focusing at close range was positively correlated with total fixation duration, total visit duration, and reading speed (all P <.05). Feeling that sight was worsening was positively correlated with the regressive saccades ( P <.05). However, visual impairment symptoms were not significantly correlated with any accommodative function. In a total of 20-minute reading, significantly reduced eye movement parameters were: total fixation duration, fixation count, total visit duration, visit count, fixation duration mean, and reading speed (all P <.01). The eye movement parameters that were significantly increased were: visit duration mean and unknown saccades (all P <.001). Conclusion: Eye tracking could be used as an effective assessment for asthenopia.