Visual protective sheet can increase blink rate while playing a hand-held video game

• Published in: American journal of ophthalmology 2002-05, Vol.133 (5), p.704-705
• Main Authors: Tsubota, Kazuo, Miyake, Minori, Matsumoto, Yukihiro, Shintani, Masuro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Asthenopia - etiology; Asthenopia - prevention & control; Biological and medical sciences; Blinking - physiology; Computer Terminals; Data Display; Eye Protective Devices; Female; General and cellular metabolism. Vitamins; Glare - adverse effects; Glaucoma and intraocular pressure; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Ophthalmology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Play and Playthings; Polyethylene Terephthalates
• ISSN: 0002-9394; 1879-1891
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9394(02)01389-2

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a protective sheet in reducing eye strain caused by unnecessary light reflection on portable liquid crystal display panels while playing Game Boy (Nintendo, Kyoto, Japan). DESIGN: Nonrandomized clinical trial. METHODS: The blink rates of 24 normal volunteers were measured under relaxed conditions while viewing a portable liquid crystal display panel and playing Game Boy with and without the protective sheet of polyethylene terephthalate with antiglare coating for a total of 10 minutes each. RESULTS: The results showed a dramatic increase (from 5.6 ± 3 to 9.1 ± 4.9 [ P < .0001]) in blinks/minute with use of the protective sheet. CONCLUSION: The protective sheet has shown the possibility of increasing the blink rate by making the screen easier to see.