Too Much Reading Could Be A Short Sighted Habit

Reading glasses on the book

Everything in excess has a relatively opposite effect. Too much of sugar or too less of salt, both can get us into trouble. Similarly, studying too much or for too long can have a bad effect on us, leaving us short sighted.

Yes, you read that right! A research that appeared in The BMJ, a leading general medical journal and conducted at University of Bristol and Cardiff University, has strong evidence that ‘exposure to more years in education contributes to the rising prevalence of myopia’.

Hence, to put more light on it, we spoke to city experts and citizens to determine how much is too much.

Dr Geeta Vasandani, Senior Ophthalmologist, says that physical books cannot but soft copy like reading on any screen can cause myopia. “Basically, it is because of too much of screen time and exposure to UV radiation and LED that further damages the eye leading to frequent number changes in children and adults.

“Many other factors like diet, less of nutrition, more of junk food, posture, too much of reading on computers and mobiles can harm us more,” she adds.

“It is not that just only education or working closely on computers or tabs is leading to myopia, but yes, there is a correlation,” says Dr Anagha Behere, Ophthalmologist, in a city-based hospital.

“It is found that ever since the workload has increased, the number of kids being short-sighted or having glasses has also increased in comparison to the past 20 years, near to 40%.

“So that increase, we are directly attributing it to excessive stimulation because of mobile, computers or tabs etc. But we still don’t know whether it is directly related but yes, some research show that they have found a positive relation and some say it isn’t conclusive.

“Genetics is the most important reason. Moreover, watching television from very close distance, unable to read letters written on the blackboards at school or any other board that everyone can read, unable to read vehicles numbers etc are some signs. By observing these things, a person can make out that the child is having short-sightedness or not. Regular checkup is very helpful. Also, reading books in a good posture, adequate lighting and having nutritious food is a part of good visual hygiene,” she adds.

Speaking about himself, Ramesh Madhav, 24, says that he has been wearing glasses since he was in primary school.

“I have been reading a lot since my childhood. But eventually I couldn’t see anything on the blackboard from afar. I faced problems in school due to this and hence got my checkup done only to realise that by eyesight is weak.

“Even now, anything from afar appears blurry to me. Moreover, now I read books and e-books more than usual and have problems if I do not have my spectacles on all the time.”

“I had this habit of laying on the bed and reading under just a night bulb or lamp. I could feel the difficulty then but since I do not like so much light, I adjusted to it,” shares Ramakrishnana Iyer, 45.

“I think these small things affect us a lot. Now I have glasses and I cannot get away with them. The worst thing is that it has stopped by habit of reading totally. Its so uncomfortable reading in bed with glasses as it comes in the way when I lie down in a comfortable position,” adds Iyer.

 

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#All view expressed are those of the respondent’s and Pune365 doesn’t necessarily subscribe to them.

Loveleen Kaur