Digital Eye Strain and Fatigue Recognition Using

Electrooculogram Signals and Ultrasonic Distance

Measurements
Robert Kerwin C. Billones1, Rhen Anjerome R. Bedruz, Madon L. Arcega, Gabriela A. Eustaqio, Diana Guehring,
Ramon P. Tupaz, Ira C. Valenzuela, Elmer P. Dadios

De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines

1
robert.billones@dlsu.edu.ph

Abstract — This paper presents a study of eye fatigue visual therapy with an ergonomic workstation [3]. Several
and strain caused by prolonged exposure to digital screens. studies propose similar suggestions to help with CVS and as
Electrooculogram (EOG) signals were used to analyze eye easy as they come out to be, it takes conscious effort to
movements, particularly saccades. This type of eye remember to blink as it keeps the eyes fresh, taking regular
movement can be observed when a person is reading or breaks to focus on something far away and relax the eyes, and
looking out the window of a moving car. On the other hand, distancing oneself about an arm’s length away from the screen.
ultrasonic signals were used for distance measurement. Prolonged and improper use of computers may lead to vision
EOG signals were obtained using the BIOPAC system, while strain and injury. Computer use greatly impacts students’
Arduino-based board was used to collect ultrasonic signals. physiological health. To avoid negative effects, users are
The experimental analysis determined the appropriate advised to learn and apply ergonomic measures when using
ergonomic distance between the computer monitor and the computers. A study involving the impact of computer use on
user when reading. The least number of saccades (average students’ health show that 70% of the respondents are confident
of 9.18) can be observed at 20-25 inches. This means there is in their knowledge on proper computer ergonomics. However,
less muscle movement and less eye strain, thus a lower risk 90% of the respondents do not follow these advisories and 95%
of computer vision syndrome. This work can be used in a of them still experience negative health impacts of improper
development of smart eyeglasses that automatically detects computer usage [4]. One of the most prevalent condition from
eye fatigue and strain. prolonged computer usage, particularly eye problems, is
computer vision syndrome. According to a research conducted
Index Terms — digital eye strain, electrooculogram, eye in Abuja, Nigeria, continuous focusing on digital text tires the
fatigue recognition, signal processing (key words) eyes and may cause further symptoms such as blurred vision,
eye strains, burning sensations, and headache [5]. As seen in
I. INTRODUCTION Figure 1, 30% of students suffer from eye strain which closely
Technology has been embraced as part of daily life [1]. follows wrist and hand pain as the top health problem after
People became dependent on technology for numerous laptop usage [6].
purposes, such as communication, entertainment, navigation,
etc. Today’s technology lifestyle has kept us on being wired to
it on a 24/7 basis, sometimes termed as the “new normal” [2].
Taking this into consideration, we cannot overlook the fact that
there are health consequences in our prolonged exposure to
screens, and improper use of technological devices. Some of the
negative effects associated with device use include reduced
active lifestyle, poor sleeping habits, and digital eye strain.
Digital eye strain (DES), also known as computer vision
syndrome (CVS) [2], can be observed when the muscles of the
eyes and the cornea get fatigued from spending too much time
looking at screens. It does not help even if the screens have
display enhancements such as contrast, flicker, and glare [3].
CVS encompasses a variety of issues related to eye pain, like
irritated and dry eyes. Studies have shown that the number of
times a person blinks is reduced to only about 8-9 times a
minute, as compared to the average of 18 times a minute, when
in front of a screen. Other issues include neck and back pain, Figure 1 - Health problems after laptop usage [2].
blurry vision and difficulty in focusing [2]. In these cases,
Numerous studies have proven that eye strain caused by
treatment requires a multidirectional approach combining
computer usage is prevalent. Ergonomic measures are now

978-1-5386-7767-4/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE

being advised and implemented by various institutions. A 16 measurements between stationary and mobile bodies. Distance
inches distance from the computer monitor reduces the levels measurements are utilized to indicate positions of a target body.
of eye injuries sustained by the users [7]. However, other It is done by measuring the time of flight, or the time elapsed
studies show that a 20 to 40 inches distance is the ideal and most between UW emission from a certain source and arrival of
comfortable setup [8]. This study is concerned with analyzing reflected waves. The output of the sensor can be connected to a
saccades and fixation using BIOPAC system while engaged in signal conditioning unit and, thereafter, be processed using an
reading activities at different distances. The study wants to Arduino microcontroller [15].
establish the ideal reading and exposure distance of a person
from a computer screen by analyzing EOG and ultrasonic IV. METHODOLOGY
signals to reduce eye strain. A. Materials and Equipment
II. EYE MOVEMENT AND ELECTROOCULOGRAM The list of materials and equipment used in the study are
listed below:
Eye movements are controlled by the six extrinsic muscles
 BIOPAC Student Lab System
of each eye, which can create many different types of
movements. The types of eye movement can be distinguished  Software BSL 3.7.7
depending on how they contribute to vision and their  Data acquisition unit MP3X
physiological properties. The basic types of eye movements are  BIOPAC electrode lead set (SS2L)
saccade, fixation, smooth pursuit, vergence, vestibular and  EOG electrodes
optokinetic nystagmus. Smooth pursuit eye movements occur  Arduino microcontroller
when tracking a target, while fast saccadic eye movements are  Ultrasonic sensor
used to quickly fixate a target. Saccades occur reflexively
 Desktop/laptop computer
whenever eyes are open. They can be observed in individuals
as they are reading or looking out the window while riding in a B. Experiment Setup and Procedure
car. The eye movements which occur during rapid eye
Eight subjects (4 males and 4 females; aged 19-21 years
movement (REM) sleep, are also saccades [9]. EOG is used to
old) were invited to take part in the study, wherein everyone is
record eye movements. Pairs of electrodes are placed on the
subjected to the same procedure. All subjects do not have an
skin near the eyes. To measure the vertical eye movement a pair
eye disease that hinders them from reading at required
of electrodes is placed above and below the eyes, while for
distances. There were some who have refractive error, although
horizontal eye movement the electrodes are placed to the left
it was fixed using their respective prescription eyeglasses.
and the right of the eyes [10]. The basis of EOG signals is the
The BIOPAC MP3X data acquisition system and Arduino
electrical potential difference between the front and back of the
board with ultrasonic sensor is connected to the desktop
eye. The eyeball can be modeled as a dipole with the positive
computer. The electrode set (SS2L) should be connected to the
cornea in the front and the negative retina in the back [10] [11]
data acquisition unit. Three EOG electrodes were utilized for
[12]. The dipole is generated by both eyes in the range of 0.4 to
each subject. Masking tape was used to increase the adhesion
1.0mV [11]. If a person looks straight forward, a stable baseline
of electrodes to the subjects’ skin. Attach 1 electrode to the left
potential is recorded. Potential changes are detected depending
of the left eye and another one to the right of the right eye of the
on the direction of the movements. When the eyes look to the
subject. Ensure that both electrodes are horizontally aligned.
left, the positive charge of the cornea moves closer to the left
One electrode can be attached on top of the left eye. Attach the
surface electrode and the negative charge moves closer to the
electrode lead set to the EOG electrodes. Figure 2 shows how
right electrode. Therefore, a potential difference is recorded
the electrodes should be placed in the eye area.
[12].
III. ULTRASONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
Ultrasonic waves (UW) are mechanical waves that
propagate, in a medium, at a frequency greater than 20,000 Hz.
Since its propagation frequency is greater than the human
audible frequency range, UW cannot be heard by humans [13].
Like electromagnetic waves, UW are used to determine the
physical properties of an object of interest, such as distance with
respect to the source of propagating waves. However, in
contrast to electromagnetic waves, UW do not induce
ionization. Sensors, on the other hand, are instruments that
detect and respond to measurable quantities such as signals [14]
[15]. Combined utilization of UW and sensors, alternatively
called as ultrasonic sensing (US), allows nondestructive
probing for various laboratory and industrial applications [14]. Figure 2 - Electrode placement
Ultrasonic sensors provide low cost yet reliable distance
 The subjects were asked to read sentences from the
computer at varying distances. Each distance used a different
passage (sentences), but of the same difficulty. Using the same
passage for each segment would have affected the data, as the
subject could have memorized the passage; thus he/she would
not have to concentrate on reading anymore. EOG signals were
recorded using a BIOPAC software while Arduino ultrasonic
sensor was utilized in determining the distance of the subject
with respect to the screen.
C. Calibration
A subject, while seated with his/her eyes aligned at the
center of the computer screen, was asked to position his/her
eyes 10 inches away from the screen. Without moving his/her
head and blinking his/her eyes, the subject’s eyes must follow
the blue dot rotating in a counterclockwise direction around the
screen, as shown in Figure 3. The recorded EOG signals during
calibration is shown in Figure 4. After calibration, the subject
was asked to move in front of the computer screen.
Figure 3 – Setup during EOG calibration.
Figure 4 - Standard calibration data.
D. Data Recording
A subject, while seated with his/her eyes aligned at the
center of the computer screen, was tasked to position his/her
eyes 5 inches away from the screen, see Figure 5. Without
moving his/her head and blinking his/her eyes, the subject must
silently read the passage, as shown Figure 6. Time was used as
a parameter in determining the start and end of a certain
segment. Each segment is equal to 16 seconds. EOG signals
were recorded for analysis of saccadic movements done while
reading the passage. The data recording process was repeated
for distances equal to 10, 15, 20, and 25 inches away from the
screen.
Figure 5 - Adjustment of proximity with respect to the screen.
Figure 6 – Silently reading of a passage at a certain distance away
from the screen.
 V. EXPERIMENT AND RESULTS
The recorded EOG signals were analyzed using the
BIOPAC software. The data was analyzed according to the
distance from the computer screen, number of saccades, reading
duration, and amplitude. Figure 7 shows a recorded EOG data
from one subject.
The data from all eight (8) subjects were compared and
analyzed with regards to the mean number of saccades per line,
mean duration of reading per line, and mean eye movement
amplitude per line. Figure 8 and Table 2 show a low number of
saccades for 20 inches distance from the computer screen.
Figure 9 and Table 3 show that the shortest time for reading a
line was observed in a 20 inches distance from the computer
screen. In Figure 10 and Table 4, it can be observed that the
amplitude of the eye movement decreases for each reading
segment. Table 5 summarizes all the calculated mean values for
saccades per line, reading duration, and amplitude of the eye
movement.

Figure 7 - Sample of recorded EOG signals.

The big "jumps" that can be seen, refer to the jump from
the end of one line to the beginning of the next. As the line of
reading is finish the eyes move from a position looking to the
right to the position looking to the left, thus a big difference in
the voltage signal can be measured. The points with the highest
signal are where a line begins and the points with the lowest
signal where it ends. The difference between these two points
is the measured amplitude. The time difference between the
points is the time needed to read the line. The small jumps Figure 8 - Number of saccades and distance correlation.
which can be seen in the data are saccades. These occur when
the eye moves from one position of fixation to another. For Table 2 - Mean saccades per line.
further analysis the number of saccades were counted. For each
subject, four (4) reading lines were analyzed per reading
segment. With the collected data, mean value for each subject
under each aspect and distance can be calculated. Table 1 shows
a sample of the collected data for one subject.

Table 1 - Sample of collected data for one subject.

Figure 9 - Reading duration and distance correlation.

 Table 3 - Mean duration for reading per line.
Figure 10 - Amplitude and distance correlation.
Table 4 - Mean amplitude of eye movement per line.
Table 5 - Mean values for saccades per line, reading duration, and
amplitude of the eye movement at varying distance from the screen.
VI. CONCLUSION
Eye movements are controlled by the six extrinsic muscles
of each eye. As any other muscle in the human body, these
muscles can get “tired” and leads to eye strain. It can be
observed that the number of saccades depend on the reading
distance. In the experiments it was shown that at 20 inches
distance, the least number of saccades (average 9.18) were
observed. This means less muscle movement and less eye
strain, and thus a lower risk of the computer vision syndrome.
For most subjects, a small number of saccades can also be seen
at a 25 inches distance. The deviations can be explained through
potential blinking. Blinks cause a measurable voltage signal
which can influence the recorded data. At a 5 inches distance,
more than 11 saccades per line were observed. This is a clear
indication that the reading distance is too near. In the analysis
of time needed for reading a line segment, the shortest time
were measured at 20 inches distance. This means that the less
saccades observed, the less effort the eye makes, and thus a
faster reading. The measurements of the amplitudes show that
the greater the distance to the screen, the lower the measured
amplitude. This is due to a larger field of view on the computer
screen, thus the eye movement decreases. These results also
prove that it is better to choose a large distance when reading
from a computer. However, care should be taken that the
viewing distance does not become too large. This makes
reading difficult, consequently, more reading time is required,
and the eye is more strained. To summarize the experiments,
the best results were achieved at a reading distance of 20 inches
away from the screen. At this distance, the risk of suffering
from eye fatigue is the lowest.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors highly appreciate the Manufacturing
Engineering and Management department of Gokongwei
College of Engineering – De La Salle University for the
materials and equipment used in the conduct of the study.
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