Can binoculars and TV be harmful to the eyes?

Could you please confirm that looking at a 30" TV from a distance of 3
metres (about 3.5 yards) with a 3X binoculars is not harmful to the
eyes.

I found the following at
http://www.uveitis.net/pt.info misc. low vision what to do.htm

"Using magnification and looking at books, lenses or screens will NOT
damage the eyes."

Thank you,
Carlos

******
delete "nnoospam" for e-mail reply

 

It depends on what amount of strain you put while watching into the thing.

 

Looking at TV, from any distance, with or without magnification will not
harm the eyes. The only time that looking at anything is harmful, is when
the object has a high level of UV or IR light for example, staring at the
sun, at a welding torch or into a glass oven.

Dr Judy

 

I am sorry you are wrong here.

_Looking at_ the sun is not harmful in any way.
*Staring* , at the sun or at every other object (even with
eyes closed!) is very harmful to one's eyesight.

It is not light but the strain that is dangerous.

People who can look at anything without straining and maintaining
central fixation will get benefit even from unfavorable conditions
like the strong light of the sun or of an arc welder.

Do you think that the light from an arc welder is dangerous to the
eyes ? It is not, I can look at it without any damage, but with
benefit.

Do some people injure their eyes staring at it ?
Of course they do, but the cause is the strain not the strong light.
I can teach them how to maintain central fixation and avoid strain
and they will look at it without any injury.

You also could teach them how to do it once you understand
and demonstrate to yourself the principle of perfect sight.


Evaristo.

 

Might cause some temporary fatigue ( as would holding your arm in one
position for hours) but will cause no damage or harm.

Lots of people, for example truck drivers, pilots, computer workers, factory
line workers, artists, home crafters look at a fixed distance for hours on
end. No harm.

Dr Judy

 

Dear Dr. Judy,

Then you can confirm in an absolute sense, that
if an individual has a refractive status of -1/2 diopter, (20/40)
reading with a plus 2 diopter (spherical) lens (at 20 inches) will
have NO EFFECT on the refractive status of his
eyes. Is that correct. That process would by totally
ineffective -- but harmless.

Or could any "harm" be caused by such use of a simple
reading glass?



Best,

Otis

 

I know of no placebo controlled human research that shows that wearing (or
not wearing glasses) while reading has any effect on refraction.

Dr Judy

 

Are you talking about a low vision aid or regular binoculars? Either way, Judy is
correct- you will do no physical damage (or physiological) damage to your
eyes or vision by using a 3x binoc watching the tv (especially if you are a
low vision patient).


frank