Can too much reading cause eye problems?

April 4th, 2009

Has your mom ever told you not to watch TV too closely? Have you been told as a child that reading too much (or cross-stitching too much) will hurt your eyes? That’s not too far out an idea, at all.

Severe myopia or nearsightnedness. Image: Flickr

Myopia or nearsightedness is a condition where one has trouble seeing objects that are farther away. Symptoms, usually developing in early childhood and teen years include squinting when trying to concentrate on an object far away, or holding an object very close to the face (to read, or to see it clearer). The person may want to sit very near the TV or computer close, and prefer to sit in the front of the class.

But does this mean that close-work and intensive reading cause eye problems?

Studies have shown that myopia is more common in some populations, such as the Ashkenazi Jews and Taiwanese where intensive studying and reading are encouraged; and in Singapore where certain jobs are visually-demanding. So certain kinds of exposures and tasks may contribute to myopia. BUT this is only part of the story.

Genes also play a major part, and plenty of studies already show that myopia is passed from parents to children. For example, myopia is more common in children of myopic parents than children of non-myopic parents.

So if scientists can identify myopia genes, treatments can specifically be created for children who are genetically more likely to develop myopia. Perhaps drug or gene therapies can even help make the condition less severe.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at some of the promising findings that point to genetic factors of myopia.

image: Flickr