Visual ergonomics, performance and the mediating role of eye discomfort: a structural equation modelling approach

The purpose of this study was to model the visual ergonomic factors affecting performance in human-computer interaction. A cross-sectional study using structural equation modelling was performed with a sample of 200 participants. The measuring instruments included the office lighting survey questionnaire, performance assessment questionnaires, visual ergonomics assessment and an eye discomfort assessment. The hypothetical model evaluated workplace lighting status and visual ergonomics as precursors, performance as the output and eye discomfort as a mediator. The results showed that eye discomfort directly affected performance. Visual ergonomics also had a significant direct effect on eye discomfort. The final model suggested a significant new path between the quality of lighting and visual ergonomics. Also, the quality of lighting had an indirect effect on eye discomfort and performance, and the effect of visual ergonomics on performance was the same. Improving the lighting quality and visual ergonomics can reduce eye discomfort and increase performance.