IMPACT OF REFRACTIVE CORRECTION ON VISUAL FATIGUE, EYE MOVEMENT AND READING SPEED IN ADULTS

Abstract

Background

Refractive errors are a leading cause of visual impairment, significantly affecting daily activities that require sustained attention, such as reading. Uncorrected refractive errors contribute to visual fatigue, inefficient eye movements, and reduced reading performance, impacting overall visual function and comfort. While refractive correction primarily improves visual acuity, its broader effects on visual fatigue, ocular motility, and reading speed remain underexplored. This study investigates the impact of refractive correction on these parameters in adults, providing evidence for its role in enhancing functional vision.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of refractive correction on visual fatigue, eye movement efficiency, and reading speed in adults with uncorrected refractive errors.

Methods

A pre-post experimental design was employed, including 45 adults (16 males, 29 females) aged 18–35 years with diagnosed refractive errors. Participants underwent baseline assessments for visual fatigue using the Visual Fatigue Scale (VFA), eye movement efficiency using the Eye Movement Index (EMI), and reading speed using the MNREAD Test. Following individualized refractive correction (glasses or contact lenses), participants were reassessed after four weeks. Paired t-tests and multivariate analysis were conducted to evaluate changes across all parameters.

Results

Refractive correction significantly improved reading speed from 179.09 WPM (SD = 4.171) to 212.24 WPM (SD = 5.126) (p < 0.001). Visual fatigue scores significantly decreased from 4.33 (SD = 0.640) to 1.89 (SD = 0.573) (p < 0.001), while the eye movement index improved from 73.71 (SD = 2.685) to 49.31 (SD = 4.949) (p < 0.001). Baseline visual fatigue scores showed a positive correlation with reading speed improvements.

Conclusion

Refractive correction significantly reduces visual fatigue, optimizes eye movement efficiency, and enhances reading speed in adults with refractive errors. These findings highlight the functional benefits of correction beyond visual acuity, supporting its role in improving overall visual performance. Future research should investigate long-term effects and potential complementary interventions, such as visual training, to further enhance visual efficiency.