Is Video Game Experience Related to Proficiency in Operating Optometric Diagnostic Equipment?

Background: This research study explores the link between past video game use and
proficiency in operating optometric equipment, specifically the corneal topographer.
Since the data collection with modem corneal topographers is much like a video game
setup or interface, it is thought that perhaps the hand-eye skills developed during
gameplay will transfer to the use of corneal topographers and other optometric
instruments like it. Methods: Comprehensive surveys regarding video game usage throughout life were given to fifty optometry students of ages 21-26. Data was collected with regards to efficiency in using the corneal topographer based on accuracy and time.
Results: Students who played video games more than 50 hours in their lifetime were
3.7% faster at performing the task in this study. Many other comparisons were made,
such as males vs. females, and can be found in the full report. Conclusions: Individuals who spent more time playing video games during their lives were marginally more efficient at using the corneal topographer. It would seem, then, that recruiting optometry students who have spent more time playing video games or using video games for training optometry students would be of little value.