Effects of Prolonged Screen Time on Eyesight: Separating Fact from Fiction

  • Thread starter Thread starter Myriad209
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the effects of prolonged screen time on eyesight, exploring whether monitors and screen-based equipment contribute to visual problems. Participants share personal experiences, anecdotal evidence, and references to studies, examining the implications of screen use on eye health.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Personal anecdote

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that reducing monitor brightness helped alleviate eye discomfort, questioning whether monitors can ruin eyesight.
  • Another participant suggests that prolonged screen time might negatively impact eyesight and proposes the use of special eyewear to mitigate potential effects.
  • A different participant argues against the notion that monitors ruin eyesight, referencing a review article that claims no credible evidence links screen use to cataracts or other eye disorders.
  • A participant shares a personal experience of worsening eyesight during exam periods, attributing it to prolonged close-range focus rather than screen use, and mentions a possible genetic factor.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the impact of screen time on eyesight. While some believe there may be negative effects, others argue that evidence does not support this claim. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on personal anecdotes and subjective experiences, while others reference external studies. The discussion does not resolve the potential effects of screen time on eye health, leaving assumptions and definitions open to interpretation.

Myriad209
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
Ok, so I need this to be cleared up. I've been using 40 contrast/brightness on a CTR monitor. I used to have it to something really bright and my eyes would start to hurt after a while, when I toned it down (a lot) it really helped. But, if you went outside, it's really bright there's a lot more photons hitting your eyes. But I also thought about like some spot where there's a lot light then everywhere else is a lot darker.

Do monitors ruin eyesight? :confused:
 
Biology news on Phys.org
I've heard that staring at a monitor (Tv or otherwise) for too long lots can have a bad effect on your eyesight. Perhaps people should wear special goggles/eyewear or something to prevent/decrease that from happening (When using a computer, tv, etc)

Just a thought? I mean keep in mind it's likely that more and more people will be using computers,more and more...
 
Last edited:
I do not think that there any reason to believe that monitors ruin eyesight. Here is a link to a review article about the effect of using screen based equipment on the eyes.
Do video display units cause visual problems? - a bedside story about the processes of public health decision-making.

Here is a quote from page 217 of the linked article:
B.L. Cole said:
...After three decades of extensive use of SBE [Screen-Based Equipment] in the workplace and several surveys of the ocular health of SBE users, including one six-year prospective survey, there is no credible evidence that they cause cataract or other eye disorders...
 
Take this as a personal anecdote, but I'm short sighted and my eyes become worse during the exam period.. every exam period! I don't think its because of anything specific like TV or a computer monitor, but staring at anything in close range for long periods of time. It's probably genetic as well.
 

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
10K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
23
Views
9K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K