Do ebook readers damage your eyes?

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aaa1234
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Do ebook readers damage your eyes?

Post by aaa1234 »

I have heard on the news that ebook reader damage your eyes. What is your opinion on the matter?
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Post by Katherine E Wall »

While I don't have an opinion on this, I do know that since I lost substantial vision in my left eye, I find it easier to read online and with an e-reader than I do reading text from a physical book. Although, that does not stop me from reading in any and all mediums.

By the way, my vision issue is not related to using an e-reader. :D
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Post by Scott »

Even if that were true, I imagine it could only be true of backlit ereaders which are basically tablets. Backlit ereaders are basically the same thing as smartphones, at least on your eyes.

Regular e-ink ereaders are very easy on the eyes. They look just like paper. They are not backlit, so it's not like staring into a TV screen as it is with smartphones, computers and actual TVs. I have to believe that using an e-ink ereader is better for the eyes than using a classic book made of paper. On the ereader, you can adjust the font-size and spacing to make it easier to read, and the lettering/paper doesn't get faded, smudged and bent.
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Post by gali »

Scott wrote:Even if that were true, I imagine it could only be true of backlit ereaders which are basically tablets. Backlit ereaders are basically the same thing as smartphones, at least on your eyes.

Regular e-ink ereaders are very easy on the eyes. They look just like paper. They are not backlit, so it's not like staring into a TV screen as it is with smartphones, computers and actual TVs. I have to believe that using an e-ink ereader is better for the eyes than using a classic book made of paper. On the ereader, you can adjust the font-size and spacing to make it easier to read, and the lettering/paper doesn't get faded, smudged and bent.
I agree. I have a kindle and I find it very easy on the eyes. I adjusted the font-size on it, so it is much easier to read than certain paper books.
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Post by patrickt »

"I heard it on the news..." might be a terrifying thought. It reminds me of when my 13-year old daughter told me that extraterrestrials had come to earth, had sex with humans, and produced hybrid offspring. She knew it was true because the read it in the paper. "What paper?" "The one Mom buys at the grocery store."
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Post by Kdorsla1 »

There have been studies that show regular reading can be damaging. That is why they recommend taking breaks to focus your eyes on something else. I personally used to strain my eyes to read in bad lighting. With that being said, I would imagine the adjustable lighting as well as font would be helpful instead of harmful.
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Post by zeldas_lullaby »

I experienced vision loss twice due to monitors that were brightly lit or lowered into a table. (The former was my new computer at home, the latter an employment issue.) So I keep my computer monitor's brightness and contrast all the way down now and have no problem. My eyes have always been light-sensitive, though. I'd probably be fine with an ereader, only I prefer books, so I'm not sure. (Also, you couldn't pay me enough to go to work for a company that doesn't value employee wellbeing. Not happenin' again.)
patrickt wrote:"I heard it on the news..." might be a terrifying thought. It reminds me of when my 13-year old daughter told me that extraterrestrials had come to earth, had sex with humans, and produced hybrid offspring. She knew it was true because the read it in the paper. "What paper?" "The one Mom buys at the grocery store."
HA HA HA. That's funny. I hope your daughter isn't scarred (or scared?) for life! Made me think of that real-life movie, Fire in the Sky. Freaky stuff.
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Post by Lisalovecraft »

I'd be interesting in seeing if there were any studies on this before believing it.
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Post by braydencrown »

it's depend on the screen resolutions.
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Post by lady_charlie »

My mother always said I was going to ruin my eyes reading in the dark and she would turn on the light.

Fast forward a few years, turns out I can barely see out of one eye and have always compensated with the other.

So the joke is on her but now I use reading glasses and I love being able to make the font bigger on my kindle so I don't need them.
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Post by ehsanch »

I think reading in the dark can definitely damage your eyes
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Post by petermark »

yes ebook readers must damage your eyes when you lay down and reading regularly.
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Post by Cyfir »

Well, e-readers are substantially better than computers, but the best way to read is with an old fashioned book.
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Post by aliba12 »

I heard something before, and i think if you have good resolutions it could not be as bad as a computer!
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Post by Miss_A »

Probably. I usually adjust the brightness and make sure it's not too bright.
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