Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
05:10
Measuring the Behavioral Effects of Intraocular Scatter
Published on: February 18, 2021
Visual discomfort and objective measures of static accommodation
Chris Chase1, Chinatsu Tosha, Eric Borsting
1Colleges of Optometry and Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA. cchase@westernu.edu
Summary
Near work causes visual discomfort due to accommodative insufficiency, which is more prevalent than previously thought. Objective testing reveals a link between accommodative lag and discomfort symptoms in students.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Vision Science
Background:
- Near work is linked to visual discomfort, with accommodation insufficiency and fatigue implicated.
- Traditional clinical measures like the push-up test may overestimate accommodative amplitude, potentially masking true insufficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively measure accommodative stimulus-response functions in college students using an open-field autorefractor.
- To compare accommodative function in students with and without near work induced visual discomfort symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Grand-Seiko WAM 5500 autorefractor for objective accommodative response function measurements.
- Recorded 2-minute sessions at five viewing distances (0-5 Diopters).
- Assessed visual discomfort symptoms using the validated Conlon survey.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was observed between accommodative lag and visual discomfort symptoms during near work.
- The prevalence of accommodative insufficiency was found to be considerably higher than clinical estimations.
Conclusions:
- Accommodative insufficiency and fatigue require definition and assessment through objective methods.
- Extended viewing times are crucial for accurately evaluating accommodative function.
