Everything You Need to Know About Reading and Eye Health

One of the most important aspects of your overall health is the health of your eyes. As you age, it’s more important than ever to keep your eyes healthy, and that includes having good vision and an understanding of how reading affects your eye health. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about reading and eye health. From understanding how reading can affect your vision to tips on reducing digital eye strain, we’ll cover it all.

Can Reading Harm Your Eyes?  

The short answer is no—reading cannot harm your eyes unless you already have an underlying condition that impacts your vision. However, if you find yourself squinting when you read or if the words appear blurry or double, then there may be some issues with your eyesight that need to be addressed. It’s always best to get a comprehensive eye exam from an optician if you experience any issues when trying to read or focus on the text.  

Reading in the Dark  

Whether you’re reading a book or using a device like a tablet or a phone, it’s best to avoid reading in the dark. Low lighting can cause damage to our eyes over time as our pupils are forced to stay open wider for longer periods of time due to the lack of light. This puts extra strain on our optical nerves, which can lead to headaches and even long-term vision problems down the road. Whenever possible, make sure there is plenty of light when you are reading so that your eyes aren't strained.   

Reading on Screens and Digital Eye Strain  

As technology advances, more people are turning away from traditional books and towards digital media such as phones and tablets for their reading needs. While this isn’t necessarily bad for our eyes if done in moderation, extended use of electronic devices can lead to issues known as “digital eye strain”, which can cause headaches and fatigue due to prolonged exposure to blue light emitted from screens. To prevent this issue from occurring, try taking breaks every 20 minutes or so when using digital devices for extended periods of time. Additionally, consider investing in contact lenses which block out harmful blue light rays without compromising clarity or colour perception.   

Reading has long been one of the most popular pastimes around the world, but it's important that we take steps towards preserving our vision while still enjoying what we read. By following these simple tips, like avoiding low lighting situations when reading and taking regular breaks when using electronic devices for long periods of time, we can ensure that our eyes remain healthy for years into the future—not only will this help us enjoy our favourite books and stories but also help us protect our sight as well. And don't forget about investing in blue light filtering contact lenses—they'll help reduce digital eye strain while still allowing us to see clearly.