Effect of ambient light on eyes when watching television

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effect of ambient light on eye strain when watching television, exploring both the physics of light and the biological aspects of vision. Participants examine the role of ambient light in relation to the brightness of the TV and the comfort of viewing conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that ambient light can reduce eye strain when watching TV, suggesting that it helps balance the brightness between the screen and the surrounding environment.
  • Others argue that the issue may be more related to biology than physics, questioning the relevance of the physics of photons in this context.
  • One participant mentions the discomfort experienced when watching TV in complete darkness, raising questions about what constitutes eye strain and how it relates to ciliary muscle contraction.
  • A participant shares personal experiences indicating that adequate ambient light reduces their eye strain, while dim light conditions lead to discomfort.
  • Some participants reference calibration discs for home theater setups that suggest optimal lighting conditions to minimize eye strain.
  • There is mention of a study that supports the idea of limiting luminance ratios between a visual task and its surroundings, although the effects are described as modest and variable among individuals.
  • One participant humorously reflects on their changing vision with age, noting a personal need for more light when reading.
  • Another participant suggests that ambient light may improve optical conditions by affecting pupil contraction and depth of field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the discussion is primarily a physics issue or a biological one. Multiple competing views remain regarding the role of ambient light and individual experiences of eye strain.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about eye strain and the effects of ambient light are based on personal experiences and anecdotal evidence, with no definitive medical explanations provided. The discussion includes references to external sources and studies, but these are not universally accepted or agreed upon by all participants.

mkbh_10
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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.
 
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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.
 

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