K Fitzmaurice¹, G Gale², Y Higgins3
¹La Trobe University, Orthoptics, Melbourne, Australia; ²Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, Education, Melbourne, Australia; 3Department of Education, Employment and Training, Statewide Vision Resource Centre, Melbourne, Australia
Visual fatigue is a phenomenon well documented in the ergonomics literature but not in relation to children with vision impairment. Clinically visual fatigue is not assessed despite anecdotal evidence that such symptoms have a negative impact on educational activities of children with vision impairment. The aim of this pilot study was to determine if causes, signs and symptoms of visual fatigue could be identified in children with low vision.
Method 39 students attending primary or secondary school were surveyed by questionnaire. Questions sought student's perceptions of tasks and symptoms associated with visual fatigue.
Results Seven factors were isolated as commonly reported symptoms of visual fatigue and four activities were frequently associated with these symptoms. Avoidance (73.7%) and tiredness (73%) were the most frequently reported symptoms. Cross tabulation of data indicated that sore eyes, tiredness, blur and avoidance were most frequently associated with close work, writing,computer use and boardwork. Correlation analysis indicated strong positive correlation between some symptoms such as blur and loss of concentration; headaches and sore eyes; and increased nystagmus, loss of concentration and sore eyes (Pearson r ≥ 0.9 p = 0.01)
Conclusions These pilot data indicate that specific symptoms of visual fatigue can be identified and an increased frequency of some symptoms can be related to particular activities associated with study. These data will form the basis of focus group discussions aimed at collecting further data to enable the development of measures of visual fatigue and suitable management strategies.
Return to the ISLRR.ORG Home Page
