We’ve all heard about how watching television excessively can have a negative impact on people eyesight, but how much truth is there to this? Obviously it can’t be a good thing to stare at a screen for hours on end without a break, but is this really causing significant long term damage? People with sensitive eyes are obviously more prone to harm from screens and it’s possible that in some cases this is due to TV watching habits that are picked up from an early age.

As children, we were always told that watching too much TV would give us square eyes! And in the 1960’s, people were under the impression that watching television from within 2 feet was a death sentence. These was a bit of a panic there for a moment and the negative connotation still remains to this day. While it isn’t as severe as the people of the 60’s believed, there is ample evidence to suggest that TV watching should be moderated.

Studies conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology established that close-up viewing of the TV screen cause a negative effect on your eyesight. There is a correlation between nearsightedness and watching television close up, however this may well be due to the fact that children who are naturally nearsighted will invariably move closer to the TV so they can focus.

The positon of the television also comes into play. Glare from the window and the angle that the television is placed can have an effect our eyes more than you might think. It can cause significant eye fatigue, however this can be negated with a proper set up.

Having your TV mounted to the wall by a professional is a potential solution to this problem. Not only does the installer review your system and set things up in the room for the best viewing experience, but a properly mounted TV can actually reduce glare also. Certain mounts have the ability to be adjusted according to the lighting so that you always get the best angle. Local Bloke Antenna Services is a provider of TV wall mounting in Brisbane and we complete all work with a 5 year guarantee.

But ultimately the best thing to do if you are experiencing excessive eye strain as a result of exposure to screens is moderation. It’s important to teach your kids that TV is not something we should be doing all day, every day, and the health risks associated with this pattern of behavior are not to be underestimated!