Effects of viewing distance on accommodative and pupillary responses following a three-dimensional task

Abstract

We have investigated accommodation and pupil responses after viewing stereoscopic images related to the resting position of accommodation. After a 10-min visual task viewing stereoscopic three-dimensional images, measurements of dynamic accommodation and pupil response were made using an infrared optometer and a pupil analyser. Four conditions were given for the viewing distance: 0.4 m (closer than the subjects' resting position), 1 m (approximating to their resting state), and 1.5 and 3 m (farther than the resting position). For the 0.4- and 1-m groups, a delay in the accommodation response for near-to-far movement was shown after the task, from 817 to 1120 ms and from 830 to 898 ms, respectively, but there was no change in the pupillary response. In the 1.5- and 3-m groups, on the other hand, a significant delay in the accommodation response for far-to-near movement was shown, from 827 to 912 ms and from 857 to 1150 ms, respectively, and greater miosis was found, from 7.2 to 9.2 mm2 and from 8.0 to 10.4 mm2. The data reveal that there are different after-effects on accommodation and pupillary functions when subjects perform the task within their accommodative resting position, than when the task is performed outside the resting position. © 2002 The College of Optometrists.