Near Vision Tasks and Optical Quality of the Eye

PURPOSE: To study the effect of near-vision reading task on optical quality of the eye when performed on a computer monitor and on printed paper, and to identify which of the two results in greater changes. METHODS: Two groups of subjects performed a 30-min reading task in two different conditions: on a computer monitor and on printed paper. Ocular, corneal, and internal wavefront aberrations (Zernike coefficients up to 6 [Formula: see text] order), root-mean-square of low- and high-order aberrations, spherical equivalent, vectoral components of ocular astigmatism (J45 and J0), and the compensation factor between internal and corneal aberrations were measured before and after the tasks. Their changes were analyzed in each group and between groups. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes in wavefront aberrations and in root mean square of low- and high-order aberrations were observed in both groups which was significantly greater when the task was performed on printed paper. Partial loss of compensation mechanism and variation in spherical equivalent in a negative direction occurred after both reading tasks; however, it was statistically significant only with printed paper reading task. The vectoral components of ocular astigmatism did not show statistically significant changes in either groups. CONCLUSION: Near-vision reading tasks can change the optical quality of the eye, especially when the task is performed on printed paper.