Is Watching TV in the Dark Bad for Your Eyes?

Somewhere in the recesses of your memory, you can probably picture your mom or grandma telling you that watching television in the dark is bad for your eyes. But when you go to a movie theater, you can’t help but notice how nice it is to have all the lights turned off so you can really focus on the movie. So, many of us stop following that rule of keeping the lights on while we watch TV when we get older.

But is watching TV in the dark bad for your eyes, or is it just an old wives’ tale? And what about using other types of screens in the dark? The answer may be more complex than you think.

The Impact of Watching TV in the Dark

Unfortunately, watching television in the dark can strain your eyes. Even though you may think you are relaxing by watching TV after a long day, in reality, your eyes have to work a lot harder if the lights are turned off while you do it. This is because your eyes have to constantly readjust to different levels of lighting. You may think the light on the television stays relatively the same throughout a show, but it actually changes quite a bit. The various scenes and backgrounds of the show have different lighting levels. To prove this, try looking at the wall opposite the television while a show’s on. You will see many flashes of lighting level changes happening in quick succession.

Of course, causing your eyes to work harder than they need to can cause eye strain. Since many jobs require more and more screen time these days, we put enough strain on our eyes outside of our leisure time. This is why it’s important to do what we can to avoid sitting in a dark room with the TV on.

The solution to this problem is simple: You can reduce eye strain while watching your favorite show by lighting the area around the television. Experts call this technique “bias lighting.” Bias lighting will result in less visual discomfort, fatigue, and a quicker response in brain waves from visual cues. It smooths out the contrast between a bright screen and a dark room, thus reducing eye strain. You can even buy special bias lights to install behind your TV these days, which means you wouldn’t have to leave your lamps or recess lighting on while enjoying your favorite series!

What About Computers?

Some of us (let’s be honest, many of us!) work on our computers in the dark, too. This is particularly common among teens, who like to do homework or play video games in the dark, but it happens to all of us more than it should.

Since computer monitors and television screens are now manufactured very similarly, using your computer in the dark carries the same risks as watching television in the dark. So, it’s important to invest in a good desk lamp and switch it on when you’re working on the computer, especially after the sun goes down. This will cut down on any digital eye strain you could experience.

And E-Readers?

As children, we were also warned against reading in the dark. We were told that we would ruin our eyes forever. Today, more and more children read on e-readers or tablets. These devices can cause eye strain and dry eye syndrome because of the pixel quality and lighting levels. However, newer models allow for lighting and contrast adjustment, which makes them slightly easier on the eyes.

If you want to read from a book or e-reader, make sure you also use a secondary light source or bias lighting. If you don’t want it bright, it can be a softly lit background light. It just needs to be strong enough to keep your eyes from straining to see the text on the screen.

Symptoms of Eye Strain

Eye strain is certainly uncomfortable, but sometimes it’s hard to know the difference between your run-of-the-mill headache and something you can fix more easily, like eye strain. Some symptoms that indicate you are straining your eyes include the following:

• Watery and/or irritated eyes
• Burning eyes
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Your eyes feel tired and overworked

Currently, research does not indicate that eye strain produces any long-term consequences, but that does mean it’s fun to experience in your daily life. Taking steps to reduce eye strain will make your screen time – whether you are using it for work or leisure – more enjoyable.

Steps to Reduce Eye Strain from Watching Television in the Dark

So, is it bad to watch TV in the dark? It probably won’t cause any long-term issues, but it will likely cause short-term discomfort. Here are some easy ways to reduce eye strain:

1. The best way to avoid symptoms of digital eye strain is to make sure you are using some bias lighting. You should also be aware of how your lighting source is positioned in relation to the screen. Otherwise, it can create a glare on the screen, increasing the risk of eye strain instead of reducing it.
2. Give your eyes a break from electronic devices. If you are watching a movie, look away from the screen every 30 minutes. Take a couple of minutes to look around the room and scan it. Do not focus on any single object, as this will make your eyes work when your goal is to let them rest. Or, close your eyes for a minute for a quick recharge. Incorporating these, as well as other eye exercises, will help prevent eye strain.
3. If you are working on a computer or an e-reader, take frequent breaks. Our 10-10-10 rule is a great one to follow.
4. Make sure you are sitting far enough away from the television and computer screen. The preferred distance is somewhere between 20 and 40 inches at a minimum.
5. Cultivate some relaxation routines that don’t involve screens. This will make sure your mind, body, and eyes get the rejuvenation they need!

You can also try eye vitamins to reduce eye strain and strengthen your eyes. Eye vitamins, like the ones found in our Ocu-Plus Formula, can make a difference in strengthening your vision. Just like any other muscle in your body, you need to take care of the muscles around the eyes. Doing what you can to reduce eye fatigue and strengthen your vision will help you to see comfortably, both at work and at play.