Addition lens alleviates reading-induced ocular stress.

BACKGROUND

Near tasks have been associated with binocular stress to induce myopia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of accommodation on reading-induced near heterophoria.

METHODS

We measured the near heterophoria of 22 young adults before and after 30 minutes of reading. The reading task comprised a column of local English newsletter studied monocularly at 33 cm. One of three addition lenses (that is, 0.00 D, +1.50 D and +3.00 D) was randomly incorporated into the optical prescription. The difference in near heterophoria between the pre- and post-reading task was recorded. The experiment was completed on separate days for the other lens powers.

RESULTS

Reading for 30 minutes with a plano lens addition (control) increased the near heterophoria by 3.81 +/- 0.95 prism dioptres (SEM) toward exo-deviation (p < 0.002). Addition of a +3.00 D lens significantly decreased the reading-induced exophoric shift to 1.36 +/- 0.55 prism dioptres (SEM). Similarly, a +1.50 D lens reduced the exophoric shift to 3.14 +/- 0.85 prism dioptres (SEM) but the difference was not statistically significant when compared with the control.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that close work might cause eye strain via the extraocular muscles. Incorporation of plus lens into the optical correction caused a power-dependent reduction in the stress, that is, smaller exophoric shift. Whether binocular stress contributes to myopia and its response to addition lens therapy deserve further investigation.