Symptomatic accommodative and binocular dysfunctions from the use of flat-panel displays

AIM： To determine the presence of symptomatic accommodative and non-strabismic binocular dysfunctions （A.sBD） in a non-presbyopic population of video display unit （VDU） users with flat-panel displays. METHODS： One hundred and one VDU users, aged between 20 to 34y, initially participated in the study. This study excluded contact-lens wearers and subjects who had undergone refractive surgery or had any systemic or ocular disease. First, subjects were asked about the type and nature of eye symptoms they experienced during VDU use. Then, a thorough eye examination excluded those subjects with a significant uncorrected refractive error or other problem, such as ocular motility disorders, vertical deviation, strabismus and eye diseases. Finally, the remaining participants underwent an exhaustive assessment of their accommodative and binocular vision status. RESULTS： Eighty-nine VDU users （46 females and 43 males） were included in this study. They used flat-panel displays for an average of 5±1.9h a day. Twenty subjects presented A.sBD （22.5%）. Convergence excess was the most frequent non-strabismic binocular dysfunction （9 subjects）, followed by fusional vergence dysfunction （3 subjects） and convergence insufficiency （2 subjects）. Within the accommodative dysfunctions, accommodative excess was the most common （4 subjects）, followed by accommodative insufficiency （2 subjects）. Moderate to severe eye symptoms were found in 13 subjects with ANSBD. CONCLUSION： Significant eye symptoms in VDU users with accommodative and/or non-strabismic binocular dysfunctions often occur and should not be underestimated; therefore, an appropriate evaluation of accommodative and binocular vision status is more important for this population,

Prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease in young and middle-aged office employee:a Xi’an Study

AIM:To estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for dry eye disease(DED)in young and middle-aged office employee in Xi’an.METHODS:This cross-sectional study of the prevalence of and risk factors for DED investigated 486 young and middle-aged Chinese office employee in Xi’an.DED symptoms and potential risk factors were assessed using the ocular surface disease index combined with a risk factors questionnaire,and tear function was evaluated using the tear film break-up time and Schirmer’s test.Possible risk factors for DED were estimated by binary Logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:DED was diagnosed in 100 females and 96 males,giving a prevalence of 40.3%[95%confidence interval(CI)=36.0%-44.7%].The multivariate binary Logistic regression model indicated that the possible risk factors for DED were being female(OR=1.592,95%CI=1.034-2.451,P=0.035),being aged≥40 y(OR=1.593,95%CI=1.034-2.454,P=0.035),using a VDT daily for>6 h(OR=1.990,95%CI=1.334-2.971,P=0.001),the presence of central air conditioning(OR=1.548,95%CI=1.053-2.276,P=0.026),and self-reported dryness of the mouth and nose(OR=1.589,95%CI=1.071-2.357,P=0.021).CONCLUSION:There is a high prevalence of clinically diagnosed DED in young and middle-aged video displayterminal(VDT)users.Interventions against the modifiable risk factors should be taken to prevent the occurrence and development of DED in this population.

3D displays: toward holographic video displays of 3D images

As the fiat panel displays （Liquid Crystal Displays, AMOLED, etc.） reach near perfection in their viewing qualities and display areas, it is natural to seek the next level of displays, including 3D displays. There is a strong surge in 3D liquid crystal displays as a result of the successful movie Avatar. Most of these 3D displays involve the employment of special glasses that allow one view perspective for each of the eyes to achieve a depth perception. Such displays are not real 3D displays. In fact, these displays can only provide one viewing perspective for all viewers, regardless of the viewer＇s position. In addition, a fundamental viewing problem of focusing and accommodation exist that can lead to discomfort and fatigue for many viewers. In this paper, the authors review the current status of stereoscopic 3D displays and their problems. The authors will also discuss the possibility of using fiat panels for the display of both phase and intensity of video image information, leading to the ultimate display of 3D holographic video images. Many of the fundamental issues and limitations will be presented and discussed.