Effect of ambient light on eyes when watching television

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the impact of ambient light on eye strain while watching television. Participants agree that adequate ambient light reduces discomfort, as it helps the ciliary muscles function properly, preventing strain. Tools like the "Digital Video Essentials HD Basics" calibration disc are mentioned as resources for optimizing viewing conditions. The conversation also highlights individual variability in sensitivity to light conditions, with some users reporting increased eye strain in dim environments.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ciliary muscle function and its role in vision
  • Familiarity with the concept of asthenopia (eye strain)
  • Knowledge of home theater calibration tools, specifically "Digital Video Essentials HD Basics"
  • Basic principles of light and vision, including pupil contraction and depth of field
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of ambient light on visual comfort and eye health
  • Explore studies on luminance ratios and their impact on eye strain
  • Investigate additional home theater calibration tools for optimal viewing
  • Learn about the physiological responses of the eye to different lighting conditions
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for anyone concerned about eye health while watching television, including home theater enthusiasts, optometrists, and individuals experiencing eye strain during screen time.

mkbh_10
Messages
217
Reaction score
0
One watched TV in ambient light to avoid strain on eyes. What role is ambient light playing and how can this be explained in terms of physics of photons which come from the TV and which come from ambient light.
 
Biology news on Phys.org


This is more a question of biology than physics.
 


I don't think this has a lot to do with physics. It's about how eyes work. So this should probably be in the biology forum. Unfortunately I don't know enough about that to comment. Edit: That was quick. :smile:
 
mkbh_10 said:
One watched TV in ambient light to avoid strain on eyes. What role is ambient light playing and how can this be explained in terms of physics of photons which come from the TV and which come from ambient light.

What eye strain are you talking about? A TV should be so bright that you have no need to strain your eyes. On that note, what does "strain your eyes" really mean? I've heard the old story of don't read in dim light because of eye strain, but I have no idea why this would cause any eye strain.
 
Drakkith, I assumed that he (or she) was asking why it's uncomfortable to watch TV when all other lights in the room are off.
 
Drakkith said:
What eye strain are you talking about? A TV should be so bright that you have no need to strain your eyes. On that note, what does "strain your eyes" really mean? I've heard the old story of don't read in dim light because of eye strain, but I have no idea why this would cause any eye strain.

Basically when you strain, ciliary muscles contract in order for you to properly see. However over time it may give out and cause problems in vision.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthenopia
 
Fredrik said:
Drakkith, I assumed that he (or she) was asking why it's uncomfortable to watch TV when all other lights in the room are off.

I wasn't aware that this happened to people.

thorium1010 said:
Basically when you strain, ciliary muscles contract in order for you to properly see. However over time it may give out and cause problems in vision.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthenopia

Does this affect people who watch TV since you rarely sit at such close distances from it?
 
Drakkith said:
Does this affect people who watch TV since you rarely sit at such close distances from it?

If the light conditions are bad, then it happens to me. If there is enough light, then I don't get troubles.
 
This is addressed in at least one of the home theater display calibration discs - Digital Video Essentials HD Basics - http://www.sceniclabs.com/products/digital-video-essentials-hd-basics Others, like the Disney disc, may also address it; however, I have no experience with any of the others.

I have my "home theater" setup with background lighting as close as I can currently get to what is suggested, and both my wife and I find that it does decrease eye-strain.

As to a medical explanation, I am sure there is one, however, I do not know what that explanation is.
 
  • #10
wiyosaya said:
As to a medical explanation, I am sure there is one, however, I do not know what that explanation is.
The only reference to a study I could find.

Even though the effects were modest, they were measurable. The results are consistent with prior literature supporting the concept of limiting luminance ratios between a visual task and its surround, according to LRC researchers

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060425015643.htm

I think it varies between people. All of my life I read in dim light, I could read very well and bright light actually caused eyestrain and pain in my eyes if I was reading or on a computer. Now, just within the last few months, I've noticed that I have to turn lights on when I read or I have difficulty seeing the text. I've crossed over into "old eyes". :frown:
 
  • #11
Evo said:
I've crossed over into "old eyes". :frown:

No Evo! Take my eyes!
 
  • #12
Drakkith said:
No Evo! Take my eyes!
Awwwwww, thank you, I guess I need to get some new glasses. The other night I needed to read some fine print and had to get a flashlight. :eek:
 
  • #13
Evo said:
Awwwwww, thank you, I guess I need to get some new glasses. The other night I needed to read some fine print and had to get a flashlight. :eek:

Well, I guess it's not too much of a problem until you need a spotlight!
 
  • #14
Drakkith said:
Well, I guess it's not too much of a problem until you need a spotlight!
Oooh, maybe I could buy a miners hat for reading, it has that flashlight in front. That's one of the reasons I wonder about those e-book readers like a kindle or ipad, I like reading in bed with little light, and it seems these pads would cause huge eyestrain unless you used it in a well lighted room.
 
  • #15
Miners hat is a good idea, not only you will see better, but you will be safer while reading too (and knowing you making you safer is a good idea always).

IMHO some ambient light while watching TV helps for purely optical reasons - pupils contract and DOF increase, that means we are seeing better.
 

Similar threads

How Does Flickering Light Influence Our Brain's Perception of Image Brightness?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Why shadows become dark when light intensity increases?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
7K
How Do Insect Muscles Enhance the Function of Compound Eyes?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Optical qualities of prism sheet and glass substrate (LCD screen)
  • · Replies 69 ·
3
Replies
69
Views
7K
Circuit Requirements Questions (Design of a stadium lighting system)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Misc. Isolation box to measure light source inside (closer to visible light)
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
High School Does light ever go from the eye to the image?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
How does eye strain affect the length of the eyeball?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Question about the relative motion of an eye relative to light source
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Medical Using Far-UVC Light To Kill Airborne Human Coronaviruses
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
7K