Does Reading Affect My Eyesight?
We are often asked whether reading can affect eye health and the simple answer is yes, reading can affect your eyesight. For example, if reading in the dark, you can cause eye strain but studies have confirmed that this will not permanently affect your eyesight.
Whether you are reading a book, or you are reading from a screen, if you are doing so for prolonged periods then you are likely to be causing some strain to your eyes. Research shows that reading from a screen tends to strain eyes because you blink less often whilst reading and this can also cause dry eye.
The same applies if you are reading without your prescribed glasses, as your eyes will need to work harder to read words compared to when you are wearing the correct glasses.
How to protect your eyes when reading
If you are reading a book in a dimly lit area, you should have a light source positioned behind you so that the page is being lit up. You can buy special lights to attach to your book that will help to reduce the amount of strain when you are reading in a poorly lit room, or a reading lamp next to your bed is a good idea.
Whichever format you are reading from, it is important to take breaks from reading. The 20/20/20 rule is commonly shared as a way of protecting eyes when working from a computer screen, but it is also a helpful way to prevent eye strain when reading books or e-readers.
The 20/20/20 rule involves looking at something different that is positioned 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. This process allows your eyes to take the necessary breaks away from the screen or book, to reduce the chance of being strained.
Reading from a screen requires more work from our eyes because we need to focus on tiny pixels, which is harder than reading the print in a traditional book. However, many digital devices now come with a number of measures that reduce the strain, such as being able to increase the font size, or you can adjust the contrast or glare that comes from the screen.
If you are prescribed to wear glasses when reading, then you should always wear them so that your eyes do not have to overwork whilst you are reading. For some people with vision impairment, ordering books with larger text can help reduce strain.
Having regular eye tests is also really important in managing your eye health, to ensure that you are wearing glasses or contacts with the right prescription to make it easier when reading and doing other tasks that require visual focus. This is also very important for children, so it is important to book them in for regular tests, especially if you see any signs of straining the eyes when reading or watching television.
Book your eye test with eye care experts Harrolds today to make sure you are protecting your eye health as well as you possibly can. We can also provide any advice and guidance on any eye health concerns you may have.
