Is it true that reading is harmful to vision?

The belief is widespread that reading is harmful to vision and provokes early myopia. We decided to check whether such a concern is justified.

Information about the dangers for vision in the laying position can be found on Pages shops glasses And lenses, about this also write in various Media And Blogs. Reportedthat reading in such a pose "can contribute to the progression of any existing eye abuse: farsightedness, myopia, strabismus, astigmatism." In addition to the harm to the eyes, other negative consequences of such a habit are listed: suffer spine and back muscles, worsens Blood circulation arises “stagnant phenomena in the cerebral cortex”, which, in turn, leads to headaches and dizziness. Moreover, such a reading called Unproductive: “When a person takes a lying position, the brain receives a signal for rest. In this state, the information is perceived poorly. In this regard, reading will not bring any benefit, if we talk about the cognitive aspect. ”

To figure out whether the reading of the lying can damage vision, you must first understand how our eyes arrange. Eyeball consists of Of the three shells: outer, vascular and retina, as well as internal contents. The outer shell - sclera - protects the eye from external influences. The front of the sclera - the cornea is transparent, through it light waves fall into the eye. Six oculomotor muscles are attached to the sclera, ensuring a change in the direction of the gaze. The second shell - vascular - is pierced by blood vessels, through which nutrients enter the eye and metabolism products are removed. The vascular shell includes a iris, a ciliary body and a choroid. In the center of the iris is a round hole - a pupil, whose value can vary depending on the intensity of the lighting. In the ciliary body there is an accommodation (also called ciliary or ciliary) muscle, the main function of which is to regulate the shape of the lens. The lens is a biconvex lens located immediately behind the pupil. By changing the shape of the lens, we can clearly see objects located both close and far. The third shell of the eye - the retina - contains photosensitive receptors: sticks and cones, which allowing them to distinguish between colors and their shades.

In order for the reading process to be possible, it is necessary that the cornea is healthy, the muscles that ensure the direction of the gaze work and allow you to move the gaze along the page, the shape of the lens was optimal for distinguishing the letters at the right distance, and so that the lighting is enough for reading. The most anatomically correct distance From the book to the eye - about 35–40 cm, and the angle of inclination should be 60 °. If you set the goal, then, in principle, it is possible to withstand such a distance from the book to the eye even in a laying position. At the same time, lying on the back, your hands will have to be pulled high enough and hold them for a long time in this position, and lying on the stomach - to a large extent bend the spine. The required angle of reading will be much more difficult. Most likely, in the laying position, both of these rules will be violated. However, neglect of them will not lead To significant consequences for vision. 

Reading lying can lead to eye tension, or asthenopia. At the same time, asthenopia is not a disease, but just a condition. It can be compared with how the muscles get tired after a long walk or intensive training. It passes By itself, you just have to give the body the necessary rest. Moreover, if you ignore the symptoms of eye fatigue (visibility of vision, dryness in the eyes, lacrimation), then it may well Add And headache. However, with symptoms of asthenopia, by statistics Medical Center named after Fedorova, faces up to 75% of the population, primarily due to work at the computer. Irreversible eye injuries from reading Not happening.

Moreover, there are limited data that even indicate the benefits of such a pose for reading. In 2016, Finnish scientists Published The results of three years of observation of 240 students (average age of 10.9 years) with an existing myopia (myopia). It turned out that the vision of those who preferred to read sitting fell on average by 3.58 diopters, those who read the lying on their stomach - by 3.17, but those who read lying on their backs were 2.35. Thus, reading in the laying position was associated with less progression of existing myopia.

It is also unreasonable that the information is absorbed worse when reading lying down. Researchers from the University of California in Davis set The question of which students are more successful - those who prefer a desk, or those who work out of bed. It turned out that there is no difference on the average score between them. With their conclusions agree And practicing doctors, for example, the atyle of Malotra, the therapist and doctor of medicine: "Neither lying nor sitting affects the functioning of your brain, the position of the body simply does not matter." Ergonomics specialist (the science of adapting official duties, workplaces, items and objects of labor, as well as computer programs for the safest and most effective work of the employee, based on the physical and mental characteristics of the human body) from the Academic Medical Center of the University of California at San Diego Jenis Fletcher speaksthat the most neutral pose in which our body experiences the least load is standing with our hands lowered down. But the second in neutrality of the pose - lying on the back with relaxed hands. At the same time, the specialist notes, these poses are poorly suitable for reading. If you want to read in bed, she advises to do it on her back, putting it under her head, the upper back and hands of the pillow, and place the book as close as possible to the level of the eyes.

There is also no reason for the development of myopia of reading in the laying position either. Basic Factors Risk - genetics and environment. By observations Scientists, if one of the parents is diagnosed with myopia, then with a probability of 25% it will manifest itself in the child. If the short -sighted ones are both parents, the risk of developing pathology in a child increases to 50%. Among all environmental factors, the most significant - timespent in the fresh air. 

Thus, reading the lie does not lead to irreversible visual impairments. The maximum that can threaten lovers to read in a horizontal position is the fatigue of the eye, which, for justice, note, can occur when reading in any other position, especially if you do not observe the required distance between the book and eyes. Moreover, during reading, as well as, for example, working at a computer, it is important to observe the so -called "Rule 20–20–20" - Every 20 min. Distract for 20 seconds. And translate a look at an object located at a distance of 20 feet (about 6 m). In addition, there are evidence that adolescents with existing visual impairments Reading in the lying pose on the back can even help slow down the progression of the disease. 

Image on the cover: Julia spranger, CC by 3.0Via Wikimedia Commons

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