The effects of reading from different mediums (computer screen and paper) on blink rates and lacrimation

Jody Major, BappSc (Orth)(Hons)
Neryla Jolly, DOBA (T), MA (Macq)
Rob Heard, BA (Hons) PhD (Sydney)

Aim: To evaluate the difference, in lacrimation levels and blink rates, when reading from a Visual Display Unit (VDU) compared with reading from paper.

Procedure: 27 ocularly healthy volunteers were measured for lacrimation (phenol red thread test) and non-invasive tear film break up time (NIBUT) pre and post-reading. Duration of reading was 50 minutes from both mediums (VDU and paper). Blink rates were recorded during reading and averaged at 10-minute intervals.

Results: The blink rates showed a statistical significant increase when subjects read from the VDU. The results showed no significant difference in lacrimation levels before and after reading from either medium.

Conclusion: People who use computers should be advised that computer use increases their blink rates. It has been proven in previous research that regular computer users have decreased lacrimal counts. Therefore, it is recommended that computers should be placed at a lower height to the eyes with the screen tilted upwards, and people who experience dry eye symptoms should use lubricating eye drops.