Can sitting too close to the TV damage your eyes?

		Search:
		Newsroom \| Resources \| About EyeSmart

Answer Archive

Follow:

Question:
Can sitting too close to the TV damage your eyes?

Answer:
Contrary to the popular myth, sitting too close to a TV will not damage your eyes but it may cause eyestrain. Children can focus at close distance without eyestrain better than adults. Therefore children often develop the habit of holding reading materials close to their eyes or sitting right in front of the television. There is no evidence that this damages the eyes either in children or adults. With children, this habit usually diminishes as they grow older.

Answered by:
Lee Duffner, MD

Categories:
Eye Diseases, General Eye Health

Have a question that hasn't been answered yet? Ask it!

Ask a Question

Answer Archive

Search Answers

Our Experts


	Did You Know? EyeSmart offers a monthly newsletter, with information on eye diseases, risk factors, treatments and other eye health topics. > Sign Up for EyeSmart News

EyeCareAmerica - Get Eye Care at No Cost

The EyeSmart Site and the Ask an Eye M.D.™ service provide educational information but NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all content on this Web site is the opinion or information of its author, not The American Academy of Ophthalmology or EyeCare America, and is current as of the date posted. Always contact your own ophthalmologist (eye M.D.) or other professional healthcare provider if you have a question concerning your or your family's health.

RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THIS WEB SITE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY AND EYECARE AMERICA ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS, DRUG AND DEVICE APPLICATION OR OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES, OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS SITE.