Watching TV often is a harmful habit that can affect your long-term eye health. If you are used to watching TV often, you may have blurred eyes and headaches.
Ziare.com discussed Beatrice Voiculescu, ophthalmologist, who gave us some essential tips on how to protect our eyes when watching TV. The doctor also explained what is the optimal distance we should keep from the monitor to avoid any vision problems.
How does long watching on TV affect you?
People who often watch TV may suffer from eye discomfort and headaches (headaches). The more time spent in front of the TV screen, the greater the risk that the person will experience these symptoms.
The blue light on the screens can lead to cataracts
These symptoms are caused by the blue light emitted by the screens. Blue light is stronger than ultraviolet rays and penetrates deep into the retina. Prolonged exposure to this type of light can lead to the formation of cataracts and age-related muscle degeneration (DMLV).
After only two hours in front of a screen, eye fatigue sets in
Eye fatigue (accommodative asthenia) causes physical discomfort and is felt after spending about two hours in front of a digital screen, such as a TV, computer or smartphone. You can recognize eye fatigue when you feel your eyes slightly blurred.
You can have insomnia
Artificial light has unpleasant effects not only on eye health, but also on the quality of sleep. If you often expose yourself to the blue light in the evening, your sleep schedule may be disturbed.
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain, responsible for regulating circadian rhythms. This hormone prepares the body for the transition from wakefulness to sleep and is produced in the evening, the time of day with the lowest natural light. Blue light inhibits melotonin production, triggering insomnia – if you are used to watching TV in the evening.
What is the recommended distance from the TV?
In order to have a comfortable and healthy experience, you must take into account the distance and the level at which the screen is placed in relation to your eyes. Keeping the recommended norms to the screen protects you against eye fatigue.
The optimal distance from the TV should be about 3 times the length of the TV diagonal.
Position the TV at the same level as the eyes and avoid looking up or down at it.
Tips to reduce eye fatigue
To protect your eyes when watching TV it is important to follow the following principles:
-Pause for at least 5 minutes every 30 minutes;
-Set the screen brightness correctly. A suitable brightness is 40-60%, and the contrast set should not be too strong. Even if the screen appears darker in color initially, your eyes will adapt, and in a few hours you will be able to follow the right programs easily. Be careful not to set the brightness too low, because the effect will be completely opposite to the expected one, and the eyes will get tired faster;
– Move your gaze from time to time and focus on other objects in the room;
– Blinks often;
– Wear goggles for screens;
– Try to reduce the time spent in front of the TV;
– Keep the light on when watching TV. The habit of watching TV in the dark is harmful, as it causes the iris to open completely and allows the blue light emitted by the TV screen to penetrate the eyes much more easily. In a fully lit environment the eyes are darker than in a room where the bright screen is the only source of light;
The environment in which you usually watch your favorite TV shows contributes to maintaining or degrading eye health.
Beatrice Voiculescu, ophthalmologist
Videt Medical Optics
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