# The Impact on Vergence Parameters After Smartphone Gaming

## TL;DR

This study shows that 30 minutes of smartphone gaming can negatively affect eye coordination in young people.

## Contribution

The study experimentally demonstrates a significant impact of smartphone gaming on vergence parameters in young adults.

## Key findings

- Smartphone gaming for 30 minutes significantly reduced near point of convergence (NPC).
- Positive and negative fusional vergence and vergence facility also decreased significantly after gaming.
- These changes suggest binocular vision anomalies in young individuals following smartphone use.

## Abstract

To evaluate the impact of smartphone gaming on the vergence system of the eye.

A 5-month (from March 2023 to August 2023) comparative and experimental research was conducted.

Eighty-two participants with a mean age of 21.98 ± 2.26 years were present in the study. Prior to assessing accommodation and vergence system characteristics, participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination. The participants were asked to play a shooting game on a smartphone for 30 minutes at a 40 cm distance. Measurements of the vergence parameters were taken before and after the activity and afterwards were compared.

Non-parametric tests were used to compare pre- and post-task measurements. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the variables: Negative fusional vergence (NFV), Positive fusional vergence (PFV), Near point of convergence (NPC), and Vergence Facility (VF), with the alpha error set at 5%.

The mean age of the participants was 21.98 ± 2.26 years. Post-task, the vergence parameters: NPC (p < 0.001), NFV for near distance (p < 0.001), PFV for near distance (p < 0.001), and VF (p < 0.001) showed significant decrease in vergence parameters.

The study shows smartphone gaming for 30 minutes affects the vergence system, leading to binocular vision anomalies in young individuals.