Eye care experts generally
agree: Watching television will not harm your eyes or vision
if the TV room is lit properly and if you follow a few viewing
tips. In fact, there is usually less strain involved in TV
viewing than in doing close work such as sewing or reading.
But TV watching for long stretches of time can leave your eyes
fatigued.
What are the best conditions
for TV viewing?
A normally lit room, suitable for general activities, is
best. Excessively bright lighting tends to reduce contrast
on the screen and "wash out" the picture. No
lights should be placed where glare or reflections will
be seen in or near the television screen. Strongly colored
lighting should not be used and surroundings should be
neutral in color.
Is it all right to watch television
in a dark room?
This situation is not ideal. When
the room is totally dark, the contrast between the television
screen and the surrounding area is too great for comfortable
and efficient vision. When the room is softly illuminated,
undesirable high contrast is kept to a minimum.
Is it better to adjust the television
set to room lighting or room lighting to the set?
Adapt
the set's brightness and contrast to room lighting --
not room lighting to the set -- after the room lights
have been turned on.
Is it all right to wear sunglasses
while watching television?
Generally, no. Sunglasses
may shut out too much light for good vision. If worn
when not needed, they tend to make it difficult for the
viewer to adapt promptly to normal light levels. If you
are bothered by brightness, consult with an eye care
practitioner about the possible need for lenses more
appropriate to TV viewing.
Possible Difficulties
with TV Viewing
Children sometimes sit close to the set. Does this hurt
their eyes?
While close-up viewing is certainly not
recommended, it is generally not harmful. It is best to
watch television from a distance of at least five times
the width of the picture. Picture details will appear sharper
and better defined and the television lines and defects
will be less apparent. If your child persists in watching
television from a short distance, have his or her vision
checked. Nearsighted (myopic) children like to sit close
to the screen.
What does it mean if the eyes water
or if there is other visual discomfort while watching
television?
It could indicate a problem that needs
professional attention. Some viewers, especially those
over 50 years old, may find relief with special glasses
for television viewing. Discomfort could also indicate
that the drainage passages which drain tears from the
eyes into the nose are partially blocked and require
examination.
What about color television for viewers
with color vision deficiencies?
Color deficiency
(i.e. color blindness) is generally not a barrier to
enjoying color television. However, viewers with color
deficiencies may disagree with others as to the "proper" color
adjustment. A color TV picture properly adjusted for
most people may appear too green to a protanomalous (weak
red) observer, or too red to a deuteranomalous (weak
green) viewer. When the set is adjusted to "correct" its
color, the resulting picture is usually unsatisfactorily
tinted for other viewers. Viewers who are severely color
deficient, the so-called "red blind" or "green
blind," will see little or no difference in widely
different color mixtures, and will not be bothered by
most color adjustments.
TV viewing tips:
- Make sure your television set is properly
installed and the antenna properly adjusted.
- Place the set to avoid glare and reflections
from lamps, windows and other bright sources.
- Adjust brightness and contrast controls
to individual and/or viewer's taste and comfort.
- Have the set at approximately eye
level. Avoid having to look up or down at the picture.
- Avoid staring at the screen for lengthy
periods. Briefly look away from the picture, around the
room or out the window.
- Wear lenses prescribed for vision
correction, if advised to do so by your eye care practitioner.
- View from a distance at least five
times the width of the television screen
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