Is Reading in the Dark Bad for your Eyes?
Reading before bed can be a great way to unwind at night, especially if you have a good book on hand! While you’re busy flipping to the next page to unravel the ending, you might not realize the lighting is changing around you. Soon, you find yourself squinting in the dark to read the final chapter. However, do you know whether reading in the dark is bad for your eyes? We’re on a mission to simplify eye care. That means the Visionworks experts are taking the time to research your questions and deliver the answers you need to protect your eyes. Discover how reading in the dark can affect your eyesight and learn whether it’s bad for your eyes.
As a kid, you may have been told that reading in the dark could damage your eyes, resulting in the need for glasses. Well, it turns out that myth is false! According to WebMD and eye care professionals, there is no substantial evidence that reading in the dark leads to long-term eye damage. However, don’t turn off the lights just yet! While reading in dim light doesn’t cause long-term damage, it can be uncomfortable for your eyes. Reading without sufficient lighting causes short-term symptoms for some people, including discomfort, dry eyes and fatigue. This is especially true for individuals with pre-existing eye conditions. No matter how exciting the book, it’s always best to read in well-lit areas.
Ensure You Have Enough Reading Light
Follow these tips to ensure you have enough reading light at night.
- The reading light should be bright enough to create contrast between the text and the background, making text easy to distinguish.
- Place your light so it illuminates the page without any shadows or glare.
- The ideal color temperature for reading is around 5000K, which is the color temperature of daylight. Therefore, choose a daylight temperature bulb rather than a warm temperature low light bulb.
- Keep your reading material at arm’s length—around 16 inches from your face—to allow for easy focusing.
- If text is too small to read comfortably, it may be time to invest in reading glasses.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule to ensure your eyes don’t tire unnecessarily. Here’s how to do this: for every 20 minutes of reading, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.
While these tips are a good starting point, lighting preferences vary from person to person. When you’re reading in a new space, take time to assess the lighting before reading. If you find yourself having to squint, try adjusting the lighting. Remember to always take breaks while reading even when the story is getting to the good part!
How Does Reading in the Dark Affect Eyesight?
Here are a few ways reading in the dark can affect your eyesight in the short term.
Eye strain
Reading in the dark can strain your eyes, as the pupils dilate to try to take in more light and focus on the text. Essentially, the eyes must work harder to see in low light, which can tire the eye muscles.
Fatigue and headaches
Because the eyes are straining to see in the dark, you’re more likely to experience symptoms of fatigue and headaches.
Dry eyes
When the eyes attempt to focus in dim light, you tend to blink less. So, you may experience dry eye symptoms, including itching, watery eyes and blurred vision.
Blurred Vision
The eyes may have trouble focusing in low light, which can lead to blurred vision. These symptoms are temporary and resolve themselves in proper lighting.
Light Sensitivity
If your eyes get used to reading in the dark, they may become more light-sensitive in well-lit spaces.
Reading comprehension errors
Reading in low light can make it more challenging to focus on the text and lead to increased reading errors. While this doesn’t directly affect your eyes, it can be frustrating to have to re-read a book chapter to understand it!
Take Care of Your Eyes and Enjoy Your Late Night Reading
Before you curl up with a good book, turn on your reading lamp! Follow these tips to make reading as comfortable as possible for your eyes. If you are having trouble reading even in adequate light, it’s time to schedule an eye exam. Visit a Visionworks location near you to see an eye doctor, choose some new frames and address any other eye care needs.
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Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
