Abstract
Purpose: :
To assess the impact of eyelid measures on reading speed over short and prolonged durations.
Methods: :
Out-loud reading of short passages from the International Reading Speed Test (IReST), and prolonged silent reading speed over 30 minutes, were evaluated in control subjects with normal vision, or with bilateral glaucoma. External photographs were obtained prior to reading, and images were analyzed using the Image 140J software to obtain distances between the pupillary reflex and upper lid margin (MRD1), the pupillary reflex and lower lid margin (MRD2), and the upper and lower lid margins (palpebral fissure [PF]).
Results: :
Out-loud reading of short passages from the International Reading Speed Test (IReST), and prolonged silent reading speed over 30 minutes, were evaluated in control subjects with normal vision, or with bilateral glaucoma. External photographs were obtained prior to reading, and images were analyzed using the Image 140J software to obtain distances between the pupillary reflex and upper lid margin (MRD1), the pupillary reflex and lower lid margin (MRD2), and the upper and lower lid margins (palpebral fissure [PF]).
Conclusions: :
Seventeen control subjects and 21 patients with glaucoma completed the study procedures. Patients with MRD1 distances less than 2.5 mm read 12 words per minute (wpm) slower over short periods of reading (p=0.2, 95% CI=-33 to +8 wpm), and 33 wpm slower in the sustained reading test (p=0.2, 95% CI = -86 to +17 wpm), though neither difference met criteria for statistical significance. No correlation was noted between PF or MRD2 and either out-loud or silent reading speed (p>0.5 for all). In multivariable models accounting for age, race, education, and glaucoma status, MRD1 distances less than 2.5 mm were associated with a 33 wpm slower sustained reading speed (p=0.3, 95% CI=-97 to +31 wpm).
Keywords: eyelid • reading • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye