Investigate the 3D Visual Fatigue Using Modified Depth-Related Visual Evoked Potential Paradigm

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Prolonged 3D content viewing causes visual fatigue, negatively impacting user experience and hindering industry growth.
• Existing research on 3D visual fatigue primarily analyzes electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency-domain features, neglecting time-domain aspects.
• Investigating time-domain EEG features offers a novel approach to understanding and evaluating 3D visual fatigue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore time-domain features of depth-related visual evoked potentials (DVEPs) for evaluating 3D visual fatigue.
• To identify specific DVEP components and their characteristics that correlate with increasing levels of visual fatigue.
• To establish potential neural indicators for objective 3D visual fatigue assessment.

Main Methods:

• A modified viewing paradigm with random disparities was used to elicit DVEPs.
• One-way repeated-measurement ANOVA and point-by-point permutation statistics analyzed DVEP component changes with fatigue.
• Independent component analysis (ICA) was employed to pinpoint the neural sources of significant DVEP components.

Main Results:

• Significant changes in DVEP components, specifically P1 and N1 (100-170ms) at sensors Pz and P4, were observed with increasing visual fatigue.
• The amplitudes of P1 and N1 components showed a significant correlation with the degree of 3D visual fatigue.
• ICA identified P1 and N1 originating from the posterior cingulate cortex as statistically associated with 3D visual fatigue.

Conclusions:

• 3D visual fatigue is significantly correlated with the amplitude of P1 and N1 components of DVEPs in right parietal areas.
• The identified P1 and N1 components, characterized by amplitude and latency, may serve as reliable indicators for 3D visual fatigue evaluation.
• Decreased activity in attention and disparity processing capacities might underlie 3D visual fatigue.