Novel Method of Remotely Monitoring the Face-Device Distance and Face Illuminance Using Mobile Devices: A Pilot Study

Abstract EN

Specially developed software (app) was written for handheld electronic devices that uses the device camera and light detector for real-time monitoring of near-work distance and environmental lighting.

A pilot study of this novel app employed children using tablet computers in a classroom.

Measurements of face-device distance and face illuminance were obtained from two schools where tablets were used regularly.

Children were divided randomly into a control group (CG) and intervention group (IG).

The app was calibrated in a lab and configured to store average values every 20 seconds in a remote database.

In both groups, the app recorded data only when a child’s face was present in the camera image.

The app darkened the screen for the IG when the face-device distance was shorter than 40 cm.

The total mean face-device distance was 36.8 ± 5.7 cm in CG and 47.2 ± 6.5 cm in IG.

Children in IG had to accommodate approximately 0.6 D less when using their devices.

The mean classroom face illuminance was 980 ± 350 lux in School #1 and 750 ± 400 lux in School #2.

The novel method of remotely monitoring and controlling the face-device distance and illuminance can potentially open new paths for myopia prevention and myopia control.