Eyes all aglow while watching your holiday favorites? An ophthalmologist shares how to prevent eye damage
Your holiday plans might include roasting chestnuts on an open fire, baking sweets or rewatching your favorite holiday movies and television show episodes, either alone or with family and friends. Dr. Emily Witsberger, ophthalmologist and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, explains why you should be aware of your screen time and close viewing distance if you are doing the latter.
When watching holiday favorites on the screen, Witsberger says that a normal couch-to-TV distance is fine. The American Academy of Ophthalmology even says that you should sit at least 25 inches or an arm’s length away from screens. If you are staring at a screen for too long or you’re too close to a screen, like with a tablet or phone in your lap, know that you could be causing damage to your eyesight.
Symptoms can include: 
- Eye strain.
- Developing a headache or sensitivity to light.
- Eye irritation and dryness.
“Especially if you have been reading or looking at a screen for too long, you might not be blinking as much because you are not thinking about it, so because of this, your eyes can really dry out,” Witsberger said.
She adds that myopia, or nearsightedness, where objects you see up close are clear, but those that are far away are not, is increasing in children. This is associated with lots of screen time and close reading and viewing distances.
For children and adults, Witsberger recommends following the 20-20-20 rule.
“Every 20 minutes, take at least a 20 second break and look at something far in the distance, about 20 feet away,” Witsberger said.
If your eyesight is bothering you during the holidays or at any time of the year, see an ophthalmologist. Make sure you keep up with annual comprehensive eye exams so physicians can track your refraction.
For a list of eye-related services that Baylor Medicine provides, click here.
By Taylor Barnes
