The effect of periocular warming on accommodation

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Ergonomics
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Prolonged near work using visual display terminals (VDTs) can lead to eye strain and reduced visual performance.
• Accommodation amplitude and near vision are critical for tasks requiring sustained close focus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of periocular warming on accommodation amplitude and near vision in VDT workers after extended near work.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of periocular warming as an intervention to mitigate visual fatigue.

Main Methods:

• A prospective interventional observational case series involving 10 healthy Japanese male volunteers.
• Subjects underwent 7 hours of VDT work, followed by either eyelid closure or periocular warming with warming sheets (WSs).
• Accommodation amplitude, near visual acuity (VA), and pupil diameters were measured before and after interventions, and at 90 minutes post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Periocular warming led to an increase in accommodation amplitude in 50% of eyes immediately after application, with 40% maintaining the effect at 90 minutes.
• Mean near visual acuity significantly improved after periocular warming compared to simple eyelid closure.
• The study observed improvements in both subjective and objective accommodation measures.

Conclusions:

• Periocular warming is an effective method for increasing accommodation amplitude and improving near visual acuity in VDT workers.
• This simple intervention can enhance near work-related ergonomics and potentially reduce visual fatigue.
• Disposable warming sheets offer a practical approach to periocular warming.