Eye Health
Sitting at an optimal viewing distance helps avoid eye strain
ByTroy Bedinghaus, OD
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Troy Bedinghaus, OD
Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD, board-certified optometric physician, owns Lakewood Family Eye Care in Florida. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association.
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Updated on May 25, 2022
Medically reviewed byJohnstone M. Kim, MD
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Johnny-Kim-1000-78427027dfda4da78dc3f0326fd9bc08.jpg "Can a Close TV Damage Your Eyes? (2)")
Medically reviewed byJohnstone M. Kim, MD
Johnstone M. Kim, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a practicing physician at Midwest Retina in Dublin, Ohio.
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Contrary to popular belief, sitting too close to the TV is not badforyour eyes. Years ago, safe TV viewing distance was a popular subject of debate, as the medical community warned television consumers about the dangers of radiation from TV sets.
While the concern was legitimate, the danger is not an issue todaybecause of the invention of LCD and plasma televisions. These modern flat-panel screens do not emit radiation.
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However, many people still worry that they may injure their eyes by sitting too close to the TV. Whilesitting close to the television will not cause injury to your eyes or vision, close viewing may cause temporary eye strain or eye fatigue.
So how close is too close? What is the ideal distance for watching television?
Ideal TV Viewing Distance and Position
Some eye care professionals recommend sitting approximately 8 to 10 feet away from the TV screen. The general rule of thumb is to be at least five times the distance from the screen as the screen is wide. For example, if your television is 32 inches wide, the optimal viewing distance is 160 inches or about 13 feet.
However, most optometrists and ophthalmologists agree that the best distance for television viewing is the distance that feels most comfortable for you. As long as you can see the screen clearly without experiencing discomfort, the distance is probably correct.
Besides viewing distance, the position of your television in relation to where you are sittingis also important for preventing eye strain.
Whether you hang your TV on the wall or set it on a tabletop, try to position it at eye level or lower to prevent straining your eye muscles or your neck. Constantly looking up will eventually cause these muscles to fatigue.
Lastly, as different types of screens have become more common in homes, the American Optometric Association promotes the 20-20-20 rule. They suggest that you take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to view a distant object that is at least 20 feet away. So, for example, if you watch your favorite movie or TV show on your laptop, take regular breaks to avoid eye strain.
Another option: If you are staring at a screen for an extended time, shift your focus from near to far. For example, if you usually stay 10 feet from a screen, move at least 20 feet away.
TV Distance Calculator
Although the general rule is to be at least five times the distance from the screen as the screen is wide, closer viewing distances are recommended for higher-quality televisions.
The detail of a 4K high-definition (HD) TV screen and even a regular HD TV screen allows for a closer viewing distance than a standard television screen. The pixels are smaller with these types of televisions, making it easier for the eyes to see up close.
For televisions with 4K resolution, the recommended distance for viewing is one and a half times of the vertical screen size. For HD TVs, the recommended distance isthree times the TV vertical screen size.
| Viewing Distances for 4k Resolution Televisions | |
|---|---|
| Television Size | Approximate Viewing Distance Range |
| 43 inch | 90 centimeters (2.95 feet) |
| 55 inch | 1 meter (3.28 feet) |
| 65 inch | 1.2 meter (3.94 feet) |
| 75 inch | 1.4 meters (4.60 feet) |
| 85 inch | 1.6 meters (5.25 feet) |
| Viewing Distances for High Definition Televisions | |
|---|---|
| Television Size | Approximate Viewing Distance Range |
| 32 inch | 1.2 meters (3.94 feet) |
| 40 inch | 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) |
| 43 inch | 1.7 meters (5.57 feet) |
| 50 inch | 1.9 meters (6.23 feet) |
| 60 inch | 2.3 meters (7.55 feet) |
Why Do Screens Cause Eye Strain?
Eye strain, orasthenopia,is aneyecondition that causes a variety of symptoms, includingfatigue, pain in or around the eyes, blurred vision, and occasionaldouble vision.
Symptoms can occur after watching television at a close distance, reading, doing computer work, or performing any close activities that usethe eyes. Attempting to focus on a close object for an extended period of time can tire the ciliary muscles that move the eyes, producing the symptoms of eye strain.Symptoms include:
- Headache
- Sore, irritated eyes
- Trouble focusing
- Dry or watery eyes
Eye strain can also occurbecause people tend to blink less while watching television or working on tedious projects.
The average person blinks around 18 times a minute, naturally refreshing and lubricating the eye. But some studies have shown that people may only blink half as often (or less) while looking at a television or computer screen. Blinking so seldom often results in dry, tired,itchy, and burning eyes.
Besides sitting too close, watching too much television, especially in the dark, can cause eye strain due to constantly focusing on a small, bright object. The dark room causes the irises of the eyes to open wider in order to let in more light, but they fail to close as much as they should to focus on the bright screen.
Causes of Eye Pain and Treatment Options
How to Relieve Eye Strain
If you experience the symptoms of eye strain after watching television or looking at your smart device, here are a few things you can do to help alleviate your discomfort.
- Gently massage the eyes.
- Apply a warm cloth to the eye area.
- Get enough sleep at night to allow your eyes time to recuperate.
- Invest in a bigger television to reduce eye strain from focusing on a small screen.
- Do not forget to blink to prevent your eyes from drying out.
8 Ways to Reduce Eye Strain While Working From Home
Recommendations for Other Devices
It seems that many kids today tend to watch content or play video games on their iPads and smartphones more than they watch television. Should parents monitor how close their kids hold their screens away from their eyes?
Most eye care professionals agree that tablets, phones, and laptops are harmless to eye health and vision. However, these devices can cause eye strain, much like watching a television. Symptoms can develop due to focusing on a much smaller screen at a very close distance to your eyes.
Make sure that your child holds their screen about arm’s length (18 to 24 inches) away from their eyes. Your child should view the screen at the level of their eyes or slightly below. Handheld digital devices such as smartphones should be held below eye level.
If your child seems to have difficulty holding their devices at this distance, enlarging the text on the screen may help. Adjusting text size can sometimes make viewing more comfortable. Also, to help prevent eye strain from occurring,encourage your kids to take frequent breaks from the screen to give their eyes a rest from focusing.
Easy Solutions for Screen-Related Eye Issues
Summary
Due to the advancements of modern television screens, watching TV up close will not injure your eyes. However, watching TV from a close distance may lead to eye strain or fatigue. It is generally recommended that you sit at least five times the distance away from the screen as the screen is wide.
A Word From Verywell
If you tend to experience eye strain or eye fatiguefrequently, consider asking your eye doctor for advice. Your eye doctor will conduct a comprehensive eye examination to identify possible underlying causes of eye strainand offer ways to alleviate it.
Also, know that viewing distance preferences can vary from person to person, and symptoms of eye strain or eye fatigue may improve with a few adjustments. You may find that sitting a bit further than usual from your television, getting a bigger or higher-definition television, or adjusting the display settings may be easier on your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do TVs emit blue light?
Yes, TVs emit blue light. Contrary to popular belief, you will not get eye damage from exposure to blue light emitted by devices like your phone, tablet, and TV. However, it is still a good idea to be mindful of how much screen time you get, especially before bed. Late-night watching on blue light screens can make falling asleep more difficult.
Why is my child blinking a lot when watching TV?
If your child is blinking a lot when watching TV, it could be a sign that they need glasses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. If you are concerned about the blinking, let your child's healthcare provider know so they can check their vision.
Is it bad for children to watch a lot of TV?
While watching a lot of TV will not cause eye damage in children, too much TV-watching may lead to eye fatigue or eye strain. Studies also suggest that children who spend more than four hours per day watching TV or using media are more likely to be overweight.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration. Television Radiation.
Sheppard AL, Wolffsohn JS. Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration.BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2018;3(1):e000146. doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2018-000146
Sony. What Is the Recommended Viewing Distance for Televisions?
John Hopkins Medicine. Eyestrain.
Read JC, Bohr I. User experience while viewing stereoscopic 3D television.Ergonomics. 2014;57(8):1140–1153. doi:10.1080/00140139.2014.914581
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Screen Use for Kids.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Should You Be Worried About Blue Light?
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Excessive Blinking in Children.
Nemours Children's Health. How Media Use Can Affect Kids.
Additional Reading
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Computers, Digital Devices and Eye Strain.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BedinghausNew-5949793f3df78c537b43aa40.jpg "Can a Close TV Damage Your Eyes? (4)")
By Troy Bedinghaus, OD
Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD, board-certified optometric physician, owns Lakewood Family Eye Care in Florida. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association.
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