Prevalence of oculomotor changes following the near work in stereoscopic augmented reality

Extended reality human factors studies commonly utilize an approach in which group behavior is reported. This possibly masks the true prevalence of oculomotor changes that appear in response to stereoscopic augmented reality. Thus, the study aimed to elucidate the prevalence, direction, and magnitude of oculomotor changes after the near work in stereoscopic augmented reality. The task of fifty-three subjects (18-28 years old, normal visual acuity, no vision complaints) was to type the text displayed at 60 cm as accurately and quickly as possible. Each subject participated in two sessions – the text was displayed in stereoscopic augmented reality and on the computer screen. Clinical assessments of visual parameters were performed before and immediately after 30 minutes of the task. As a result, individual variations were found in the magnitude and direction of oculomotor changes after the near work. After the use of stereoscopic augmented reality, adverse changes in vergence and accommodation were observed in about 40% of the group. Despite the prevalence of adverse oculomotor changes being similar in the case of text displayed on the computer screen, only less than 20% of the group showed a decline of visual parameters in both viewing conditions. The exploratory study highlights the necessity to consider individual variations in visual responses and identify groups that might benefit or be disadvantaged in using stereoscopic augmented reality technologies.