Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42700358›Full record

ArticleOphthalmology and therapy2026

Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria, Clinical Symptoms, and Risk Factors for Visual Fatigue: A Modified Delphi Study.

Yanxian Chen, Zuguo Liu, Fan Song, Louis Tong, Ching Yi Wu, Lingyi Liang, Ying Jie, Kazuo Tsubota, Yuichi Hori, Chea-Su Kee and 6 more

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Article in Ophthalmology and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Yanxian ChenSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Zuguo LiuXiamen University Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Fujian Engineering and Research Center of Eye Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
Fan SongSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Louis TongCorneal and External Eye Disease Service, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
Ching Yi WuDepartment of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Lingyi LiangState Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, China.
Ying JieBeijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Kazuo TsubotaTsubota Laboratory, Inc., CRIK E7, Bldg 2, 9 Fl, Keio University Shinanomachi Campus, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Yuichi HoriDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan.
Chea-Su KeeSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Lei ZhouSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Kyoung Yul SeoDepartment of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Alvin YoungDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Nathan CongdonCentre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
Xia GongSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Mingguang HeSchool of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. mingguang.he@polyu.edu.hk.

Funding

Centre of Excellence for Particle Physics at the Terascale, Australian Research Council P0046333
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionVisual fatigue is becoming increasingly prevalent globally, while universally accepted definitions and standardized diagnostic criteria remain lacking. This study aims to develop consensus-based recommendations on the definition, diagnostic criteria, core symptoms, risk factors, and assessment of visual fatigue, using a modified Delphi process to support standardized clinical and epidemiologic practice.

methodsA modified Delphi process was conducted with an international panel of experts in optometry, ophthalmology, and related disciplines. Two rounds of questionnaires were used to generate candidate definitions, diagnostic criteria, symptoms, risk factors, assessment methods and management principles. A subsequent hybrid meeting was held to discuss unresolved items and consolidate the final recommendations.

resultsOf 20 experts invited, 14 participated in the panel (response rate 70%); 13 (92.8%) completed the round-2 questionnaire and 12 (85.7%) took part in the hybrid discussion. The final consensus comprised three major recommendations with 13 constituent items. Recommendation 1 defines visual fatigue as a functional disease characterized by a core symptom set and functional impact and emphasizes identification of common associated conditions. Recommendation 2 specifies a structured assessment pathway including essential clinical examinations for confirming visual fatigue and ruling out comorbidities, and the use of questionnaires and objective assessments where available. Recommendation 3 focuses on prioritizing high-risk populations, targeting modifiable risk factors, and principles for management and outcomes to track in future work.

conclusionsThis consensus provides a foundational framework for addressing the growing global burden of visual fatigue by defining it as a distinct functional disease and providing a structured diagnostic framework and a stepwise management approach. It offers a foundation for the global standard of care for visual fatigue.

Indexed as

Clinical assessmentDiagnostic frameworkManagement principlesModified Delphi studyVisual fatigue

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.