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http://dx.doi.org/10.14479/jkoos.2013.18.2.149

Preference and Readability of Hangul Fonts in the Presbyopic Age  

Jeung, Shinhae (Dept. of Optometry and Vision Science, Kyungwoon University)
Son, Jeong-Sik (Dept. of Optometry and Vision Science, Kyungwoon University)
Hwang, Hae-Young (Dept. of Optometry and Vision Science, Kyungwoon University)
Kim, Seong Kun (School of General Studies, Kangwon National University)
Yu, Dong-Sik (Dept. of Optometry and Vision Science, Kyungwoon University)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society / v.18, no.2, 2013 , pp. 149-156 More about this Journal
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine a suitable type and size of Hangul fonts for printed materials in the presbyopic age. Methods: Based on the most common Hangul fonts used today, three types of fonts were used Hamchrombatang, Sinmoonmyungjo and Sinmyungjo at small font sizes in the range 9-11 point (pt). Subjects were 101 volunteers aged 41 through 85 years. Near visual acuity (VA) was corrected to read VA 0.5 at 40 cm after distance correction. The subjects were asked to read words containing 88 characters in 10 pt after a question about preference. Readability was assessed by reading rate that was calculated as the number of words read correctly in one minute (words per minute, wpm). Results: The most preferred font type was Simmyungjo at small font sizes. Although preferred font sizes were different in each font type, Sinmyungjo was generally preferred at 10 pt more than other fonts. Hamchrombatang and Sinmyungjo were read significantly faster than Sinmoonmyungjo. There was a weak negative relationship between readability and age in Sinmyungjo. In comparing between the top 10% and the bottom 10% group sorted by reading rate, the top group showed lower average age and addition than the bottom group, however there were no significant differences in reading rate among the fonts. Conclusions: Although increasing age tends to be low in readability for Sinmyungjo, in the light of preferred font and readability, it is recommended to use a 10 pt Sinmyungjo font in printed materials for the presbyopic age.
Keywords
Readability; Reading speed; Hangul font; Font type; Font size; Presbyopic age;
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