Abstract
Purpose :
Dynamic display colors, such as inverse display, have achieved importance in the use of digital devices to support the circadian rhythm. The aim of this study was to find the most appropriate combination of font and background color for different age groups with regard to the parameters lag of accommodation, visual acuity and subjective perception.
Methods :
In right eyes of 33 non-presbyopic (24.1 ± 3.4 years) and 17 early presbyopic subjects (42.0 ± 3.0 years), visual acuity was determined at 40 cm (Smartphone GALAXY A3, SAMSUNG) with the Freiburg Visual Acuity and Contrast Test (FrACT) and accommodation with an open-field-autorefractometer (WAM 5500, GRAND SEIKO) for six font and background color combinations (blue on white, white on blue, blue on black, black on blue, black on white, and white on black). The subjective perception was evaluated by a questionnaire.
Results :
The lag of accommodation of non-presbyopic subjects was significantly higher for black on blue (1.44 ± 0.33 D) and blue on black (1.38 ± 0.36 D) compared with blue on white (1.06 ± 0.26 D, p = .000), white on blue (1.07 ± 0.32 D, p = .000), black on white (1.09 ± 0.23 D, p = .000), and white on black (1.04 ± 0.25 D, p = .000). The early presbyopic subjects (presb.) showed a significantly higher lag of accommodation for black on blue (1.56 ± 0.36 D) compared with blue on white (1.40 ± 0.40 D, p = .002), white on blue (1.49 ± 0.44 D, p = .050), black on white (1.39 ± 0.46 D, p = .008), and white on black (1.45 ± 0.35 D, p = .001). In both subject groups, blue on black (0.18 ± 0.09 logMAR, presb.: 0.21 ± 0.08 logMAR) and black on blue (0.12 ± 0.08 logMAR, presb.: 0.20 ± 0.09 logMAR) showed a significant reduction of visual acuity (p < 0.05). The color combinations white on black, blue on white and black on white were most preferred in relation to sense of well-being, reading fluency and sharpness.
Conclusions :
The color combinations blue on black and black on blue showed a higher lag of accommodation. Subjectively, no preference for these color combinations could be determined in terms of well-being, reading fluency and sharpness. However, non-presbyopic test subjects in particular would prefer an inverse display with white on black to the classic black on white display.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.