Reading in Dim Light Will Damage Your Eyes
REALITY: Centuries before the invention of electricity and the light bulb, people did most of their night reading by firelight. Does this mean our ancestors were unknowingly ruining their eyesight?
“Not necessarily,” according to Nicola Kim, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Jones Eye Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Kim asserts that “reading in dim or bright light will not change the health or function of your eyes. It may feel more difficult to focus if the lighting is suboptimal, but this has no permanent effect on the structure of your eyes.” In other words, your eyes won’t wear out, nor will they become injured if you choose to read by candlelight.
The only negative consequence from reading in dim light is eye dryness. Dr. Kim explains that “any challenging visual activity will generally decrease a person’s blink rate and lead to discomfort from drying.” Fortunately, this discomfort can be easily remedied by applying lubricating eye drops.
As ophthalmologists well know, our eyes are designed to be resilient against most stresses. It is imperative that we take care not to do anything that may damage them prematurely. Looking directly into the sun or laser light, for example, can cause severe, irrevocable injury to your eyes, as does being exposed to certain toxic fumes. Small particles, like pieces of wood or glass, may also have damaging effects and should be avoided.
Although good lighting makes reading easier and can prevent eye fatigue and dryness, reading in dim light will not have any permanent, negative effects on your eyes.
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