Effect of short-term use of mobile phones on Accommodation and Convergence in Adults

• Satwinder Singh,*  
• Rohan Kalita,  
• Apsara Das Shreshtha,  
• Rajesh Kumar Sah,  
• Shivam Patel,  
• BONELA Giridhar,  
• Muppana Veera venkata Rupasri,  
• SANAM PRASAD MAGARDAITA

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of short-term use of mobile phones on Accommodation and Convergence in Adults. Introduction: With the advent of digital technology, mobile phone usage has surged dramatically, becoming an integral part of daily life. Prolonged screen exposure has been associated with visual strain, impacting key ocular functions such as accommodation and convergence. Understanding these effects is crucial, especially in young adults, who are among the highest users of mobile devices. This study investigates the short-term impact of mobile phone usage on accommodative and vergence parameters to provide insights into potential visual health implications. Materials & Methods: An observational study with the duration of 3 months done at Department of Optometry, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat. 310 healthy subjects include both males and females with age group ranging between (18-25 years) were chosen using random sampling method. Participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination, encompassing ocular and systemic histories, objective and subjective refraction, near point of accommodation, amplitude of accommodation, accommodative facility, near point of convergence, and vergence facility assessments. Following assessment, they watched a 3-hour movie on smartphones uninterrupted. After a 5-minute break, participants were re-evaluated, and tests were repeated. Results: The study involved 310 participants, 49% male, 51% female, with mean age 20.97 ± 1.97. Monocular accommodative parameters were affected, while vergence facility significantly decreased post-mobile phone use. Using t-test, In males, right eye accommodative facility was affected, whereas in females, most measures showed statistical differences Near Point of Accommodation, Amplitude of accommodation, Accommodative facility and Vergence facility (NPA, AA, AF, and VF) Pre- and post-test NPC (break and recovery) differed between genders (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study investigated changes in accommodative and vergence parameters after short-term mobile phone use. Significant alterations were noted in monocular accommodative metrics, especially NPA, AA, and AF. Gender-specific analysis revealed males had compromised accommodative facility, while females showed broader alterations. These findings stress the importance of gender-specific interventions in visual health, especially concerning contemporary device usage. Keyword: Near Point of Accommodation, Amplitude of Accommodation, Accommodative facility, Near Point of Convergence, Vergence facility.

Keywords

NPA (Near Point of Accommodation), AA (Amplitude of Accommodation), AF (Accommodative facility), NPC (Near Point of Convergence), VF (Vergence facility)