How to read books on your smartphone without damaging your sight

The smartphone is one of the electronic devices that we use the most. Because it is small and easy to carry with us, it has become our daily companion. And that is why many use their smartphones to read their favorite books. If you are one of these people, you must take into account the tips that we present to you so that you can read on your smartphone without damaging your eyesight:

Activate reading mode

If your smartphone has this option, activate it. You will be able to eliminate the color and see the content in monochrome format, greatly facilitating the reading.

Correct lighting

Using poor light distribution can increase eyestrain. It is recommended to read with a ceiling light and an accessory light, so that the ceiling lighting is not just above you, but parallel to your line of sight. As for the accessory light, it must be from the side. If you read with backlit displays it is recommended that they be perpendicular to the windows and well lit.

Use the right level of brightness

Reduce the brightness of your phone screen to avoid fatigue. To achieve the correct level, you must take into account the environment in which you find yourself. According to the lighting of the environment, you should decrease the brightness of your smartphone to a greater or lesser degree.

Use a large screen with good resolution

Minimizing the number of times you scroll will avoid the need to continuously focus your view. The bigger the screen, the more content you can read without having to turn the page. You should also make sure you have the best resolution for a more comfortable reading.

Distance and font size

In order not to damage your sight, you must place your smartphone at a distance of between 30 and 45 centimeters in relation to your eyes. Dr. Mar�a Capote – specialist in pathologies related to the retina, comments that “it is a habit that we must instill in children from an early age“.

You should also change the font size to easily read at the designated distance.

Take breaks

It is recommended to rest your eyes every 60 minutes of reading, it takes about 5 minutes to rest. In this way you will avoid fatigue and you will be able to enjoy your reading to the maximum.

Check your sight regularly

Visual conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia can cause eye fatigue, among other drawbacks. That is why it is advisable to consult your ophthalmologist if you present any of these symptoms, and go to your periodic visual review. If you require a visual correction with glasses or lenses, it is essential that you use it to read on your smartphone.

Hydrate your eyes

When we read we tend to not blink enough, which causes the tear film that protects our eye to evaporate, increasing the risk of eye symptoms. This can happen especially if you are in a closed environment, with minimal ventilation, and with heating or air conditioning.

The use of artificial tears allows you to keep the surface of your eye protected from external damage. If you apply them during the day or when you have made prolonged visual efforts, they improve comfort and reduce symptoms such as itching or diffuse vision. They also prevent eye conditions like dry eye syndrome.

Proper posture

It is important that your electronic device is located below your visual axis, this will prevent your eye from being more open and the corneal surface more exposed. Reading lying down without using pillows or with your smartphone very high is not recommended.

Your smartphone should be below your line of sight, so when looking down the eyelid will cover much of the ocular surface, preventing the cornea or conjunctiva from being irritated by external agents.

Keep these tips in mind and enjoy your books on your smartphone without problems.