|
|
Video Games Improves EyesightWhile there are different, and often contradicting, findings on the psychological effects of playing video games, a new study shows that there is at least one proven benefit to this controversial leisure pursuit. Playing video games, first person shooters in particular, improves players' eyesight and may even spare the need in corrective lenses or ophthalmosurgical interventions.
Researches from the Tel Aviv University and the University of Rochester have examined the vision of a group of twenty somethings who were asked to play the Unreal Tournament 2004 and Call of Duty 2 or The Sims 2 for 50 hours during a period of 9 weeks. They came to the conclusion that playing both types of video games has significantly improved the players' contrast sensitivity function (CSF), which is the ability to notice different shades of grey on a homogenous background. Yet, those who played the FPS games have shown a greater improvement than those who played the slower paced simulation game.
The contrast sensitivity factor impacts the performance of many visual tasks yet it is one of the most commonly ignored aspects of weak eyesight. Although low contrast sensitivity is usually connected with clinical deterioration of the eye and can be corrected by use of eyeglasses, contact lenses or eye surgeries, this ability can be enhanced due to practice of mental activity, such as playing video games, a mission that requires paying attention to the smallest, most invisible transformation. According to the new study, the contrast sensitivity factor of the FPS players was improved by 58% after 50 hours of targeting virtual artillery at those that threatens the future of human race.
|
