The Impact on Vergence Parameters After Smartphone Gaming

Br Ir Orthopt J. 2024 May 6;20(1):146-153. doi: 10.22599/bioj.335. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To evaluate the impact of smartphone gaming on the vergence system of the eye.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A 5-month (from March 2023 to August 2023) comparative and experimental research was conducted.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-two participants with a mean age of 21.98 ± 2.26 years were present in the study. Prior to assessing accommodation and vergence system characteristics, participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination. The participants were asked to play a shooting game on a smartphone for 30 minutes at a 40 cm distance. Measurements of the vergence parameters were taken before and after the activity and afterwards were compared.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Non-parametric tests were used to compare pre- and post-task measurements. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the variables: Negative fusional vergence (NFV), Positive fusional vergence (PFV), Near point of convergence (NPC), and Vergence Facility (VF), with the alpha error set at 5%.

RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 21.98 ± 2.26 years. Post-task, the vergence parameters: NPC (p < 0.001), NFV for near distance (p < 0.001), PFV for near distance (p < 0.001), and VF (p < 0.001) showed significant decrease in vergence parameters.

CONCLUSIONS: The study shows smartphone gaming for 30 minutes affects the vergence system, leading to binocular vision anomalies in young individuals.

PMID:38736732 | PMC:PMC11086604 | DOI:10.22599/bioj.335