Facts and Myths about what causes vision problems were blurred until a clear conversation with Dr. Arjun Shrestha at B and B Hospital.

You’ll believe that watching television these days is not actually harmful for your eyes after this conversation with eye and retina specialist Dr. Arjun Shrestha at B and B hospital. Dr. Shrestha thinks that this myth about TV being harmful to eyes possibly started as a way to prevent children from being addictive to TV watching. Until about 1960s, color TVs were highly reflective and could thus damage eyesight. But the LED screens that they use in modern TVs have only temporary effects and that too only if you stare at it for more than two hours. This two-hour limit is important because, if you exceed that limit that will surely put undue stress on your eyes and leave them feeling strained and fatigued. In addition, watching TV for a long duration invariably means less physical activities, and which could lead to weight gain. On the other hand, TV can help your mind retain information on a long-term basis through virtually learning. So it’s ok if your child watches informational programs on TV a little longer for relaxation. As long as she is within the above time limits, her eyes will not be harmed.

LED screens that they use in modern TVs have only temporary effects and that too only if you stare at it for more than two hours. 

But if your child prefers sitting too close to the television, get his or her eyes tested. It is likely that she has nearsightedness, because of which she is unable to see clearly from a distance.

  1. Arrangement: Most of us are unaware about where to position the TV in a room. It is better not to place it in front of a window. You need to keep the room lighted softly while watching TV or DVD. Too much contrast between the screen and the rest of the room can strain your eyes
     
  2. Distance and positioning: The viewing distance for a TV should be the distance from where you would not need to squint to read the text on the screen. Also, watching TV while laying down can strain your eyes. Children typically sit on the floor to watch TV, with their heads tilted up. This causes more eyestrain than sitting eye-level with the TV set. Optimally, the screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below eye level (about 4 or 5 inches) as measured from the centre of the screen.
     
  3. Teaching the “20-20-20” rule: Follow the “20-20-20” rule. Take a break after 20 minutes of TV by looking at an object at 20 feet distance and for at least 20 seconds.
     
  4. A/C rooms: Air-conditioners are actually bad for your eyes. Staying or watching TV in an air-conditioned room can dry out your eyes quickly. If air-conditioners are present in the room, try to sit opposite to it so it does not affect you directly.
     
  5. Visit an eye-doctor: Visiting your eye-doctor once every 6 months will not cost you very much, but will allow you to get advance treatment at an early stage, if you have any eye ailments.
     
  6. Dry eye management and anti-reflective glasses: Starring too long into TV and mobile makes you blink less and evaporated your tears. That causes dryness of eye. You can use some over-the-counter artificial tears to re-moisten them.
    Get yourself anti-reflective glasses to avoid direct UV-rays and protect your eyes from dust. In addition, ensure that your glasses or contact lenses are appropriate and up-to-date for your requirement.
     
  7. Lower your addiction: Addiction is bad. Anything you are addicted to is eventually going to cause you problems at the end. Watching TV frequently or using your smart-phone every five minutes must be controlled in preference for outdoor activities. Find yourself a better activity to divert your mind to get rid of these addictions.