Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsViewing Distance and PositionEye StrainHow to Relieve Eye StrainRecommendations for Other DevicesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Viewing Distance and Position
Eye Strain
How to Relieve Eye Strain
Recommendations for Other Devices
Frequently Asked Questions
This article discusses the ideal distance for watching television and ways you can relieve and avoid eye strain.
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However, most optometrists and ophthalmologists agree that the best distance for television viewing is the distance that feels most comfortable for you. As long as you can see the screen clearly without experiencing discomfort, the distance is probably correct.
Besides viewing distance, the position of your television in relation to where you are sitting is also important for preventing eye strain.
Another option: If you are staring at a screen for an extended time, shift your focus from near to far. For example, if you usually stay 10 feet from a screen, move at least 20 feet away.
Although the general rule is to be at least six times the distance from the screen as the screen is tall (vertical measurement), closer viewing distances are recommended for higher-quality televisions.
Manufacturers recommend the following viewing distances for these common television sizes (all measured diagonally):
It’s important to note that the television sizes listed are the diagonal length, not the vertical screen size used to calculate the viewing distance.
Why Do Screens Cause Eye Strain?
Eye strain, orasthenopia, is an eye condition that causes a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, pain in or around the eyes, blurred vision, and occasionaldouble vision.
Symptoms can occur after watching television at a close distance, reading, doing computer work, or performing any close activities that use the eyes. Attempting to focus on a close object for an extended period of time can tire the ciliary muscles that move the eyes, producing the symptoms of eye strain. Symptoms include:
Eye strain can also occur because people tend to blink less while watching television or working on tedious projects.
The average person blinks around 18 times a minute, naturally refreshing and lubricating the eye. But some studies have shown that people may only blink half as often (or less) while looking at a television or computer screen.Blinking so seldom often results in dry, tired, itchy, and burning eyes.
Besides sitting too close, watching too much television, especially in the dark, can cause eye strain due to constantly focusing on a small, bright object.The dark room causes the irises of the eyes to open wider in order to let in more light, but they fail to close as much as they should to focus on the bright screen.
Left Eye Pain: Why It Hurts and How to Relieve It
If you experience the symptoms of eye strain after watching television or looking at your smart device, here are a few things you can do to help alleviate your discomfort.
8 Ways to Reduce Eye Strain While Working From Home
Most eye care professionals agree that tablets, phones, and laptops are harmless to eye health and vision. However, these devices can cause eye strain, much like watching a television. Symptoms can develop due to focusing on a much smaller screen at a very close distance to your eyes.
According to the American Optometric Association, viewing digital screens for extended periods can lead to a group of eye- and vision-related problems known ascomputer vision syndrome(or digital eye strain). This condition can result from using computers, e-readers, tablets, and smartphones. Symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.
To avoid digital eye strain, it’s recommended that you keep your screen about arm’s length (18 to 24 inches) away from your eyes.You should view the screen at the level of your eyes or slightly below. Handheld digital devices such as smartphones should be held below eye level.
If you have difficulty holding your device at this distance, enlarging the text on the screen may help. Adjusting text size can sometimes make viewing more comfortable. Also, to help prevent eye strain from occurring, it’s important take frequent breaks from the screen to give your eyes a rest from focusing.
Easy Solutions for Screen-Related Eye Issues
Summary
Know that viewing distance preferences can vary from person to person, and symptoms of eye strain or eye fatigue may improve with a few adjustments. You may find that sitting a bit further than usual from your television, getting a bigger or higher-definition television, or adjusting the display settings may be easier on your eyes.
If you tend to experience eye strain or eye fatigue frequently, consider asking your eye healthcare provider for advice. They can conduct acomprehensive eye examinationto identify possible underlying causes of eye strain and offer ways to alleviate it.
Learn MoreThe Harmful Effects of Too Much Screen Time for Kids
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sony.What is the recommended viewing distance for televisions?
Munshi S, Varghese A, Dhar-Munshi S.Computer vision syndrome-A common cause of unexplained visual symptoms in the modern era.Int J Clin Pract. 2017;71(7). doi:10.1111/ijcp.12962
American Optometric Association.Protecting your eyes at work.
Sheppard AL, Wolffsohn JS.Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration.BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2018;3(1):e000146. doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2018-000146
John Hopkins Medicine.Eyestrain.
Read JC, Bohr I.User experience while viewing stereoscopic 3D television.Ergonomics. 2014;57(8):1140–1153. doi:10.1080/00140139.2014.914581
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Digital devices and your eyes.
American Optometric Association.Computer vision syndrome.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Screen use for kids.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Should you be worried about blue light?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Excessive Blinking in Children.
Nemours Children’s Health.How media use can affect kids.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computers, digital devices and eye strain.
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