Monitoring Visual Fatigue with Eye Tracking in a Pharmaceutical Packing Area

This study investigates visual fatigue in a real-world pharmaceutical packaging environment, where operators perform repetitive inspection and packing tasks under frequently suboptimal lighting conditions. A human-centered methodology was adopted, combining adapted self-report questionnaires, high-frequency eye-tracking data collected with Tobii Pro Glasses 3, and lux-level measurements. Key eye-movement metrics—including fixation duration, visit patterns, and pupil diameter—were analyzed within defined work zones (Areas of Interest). To reduce data complexity and uncover latent patterns of visual behavior, Principal Component Analysis was applied. Results revealed a progressive increase in visual fatigue across the workweek and throughout shifts, particularly during night work, and showed a strong association with inadequate lighting. Tasks involving high physical workload under poor illumination emerged as critical risk scenarios. This integrated approach not only confirmed the presence of visual fatigue but also identified high-risk conditions in the workflow, enabling targeted ergonomic interventions. The findings provide a practical framework for improving operator well-being and inspection performance through sensor-based monitoring and environment-specific design enhancements, in alignment with the goals of Industry 5.0.