GROWING up, most of us have heard our parents yell, "don’t sit too close to the TV, you will spoil your eyes!" at us. And some of the children who had been yelled at had grown up to eventually need glasses and believed their insolence was the cause.
But, is it true that sitting too close to the TV is harmful for your eyes?
Verdict:
FALSE
It looks like the idiot box is also an "innocent box".
There has been no evidence that suggests sitting close to a TV damage our eyes.
The concerns about sitting close to older TVs were primarily related to radiation exposure, but that is not an issue with newer television technology.
Modern televisions, including LCD and LED screens, do not emit harmful radiation like older cathode ray tube televisions did.
It is important to note, however, that watching TV, or any screen, from a close distance, may cause eye strain or temporary discomfort.
Eye strain can occur when you focus on a screen for an extended period without taking breaks or blink frequently enough. This can lead to symptoms like eye fatigue, dryness, or blurred vision.
However, these symptoms are usually temporary and can be relieved by giving your eyes regular breaks and practising good eye care habits.
You may wonder if this applies to children as well.
In reality, compared to adults, children can focus up close much better, without eye strain. This habit usually diminishes as they grow older.
But if you find your child sitting very close to the TV (or any other screen for that matter), chances are they are already nearsighted. You may want to have them checked by an eye doctor.
It is generally recommended to maintain a comfortable viewing distance from screens to reduce eye strain.
A good tip to follow to prevent eye strain, as suggested by optometrists, is the "20-20-20 rule".
Take a 20-SECOND break, every 20 MINUTES and look at something 20 FEET away.
References:
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
4. https://pharmeasy.in/blog/
5. https://www.
