Should You Wear Glasses When Watching TV?

Many people wonder whether they should wear their prescription glasses while watching television. The answer depends on your prescription and what your glasses have been prescribed for.

If your glasses are intended for distance vision, wearing them while watching TV will usually provide a clearer, more comfortable viewing experience.

Do you always need to wear them?

Not necessarily.

Some people only need glasses for driving or other distance tasks, while others benefit from wearing them throughout the day.

If your prescription includes distance correction, television is often one of the activities where you'll notice the greatest improvement.

Will watching TV without glasses damage your eyes?

No.

Watching television without your glasses will not permanently damage your eyesight.

However, if the picture appears blurry, your eyes may have to work harder to focus, which can leave them feeling tired or uncomfortable.

Signs you may benefit from wearing them

You may notice:

• Squinting to see details.

• Blurred subtitles.

• Eye strain after watching.

• Headaches.

• Sitting closer to the television than usual.

These may indicate that your glasses should be worn for distance viewing.

Sit at a comfortable distance

Modern televisions can be enjoyed comfortably from a range of viewing distances.

The most important factor is sitting where you can see the screen clearly without straining.

Keep your lenses clean

Dust, fingerprints and smudges can reduce image quality.

Regular cleaning helps you enjoy the sharpest possible picture.

A spare pair is useful

If you regularly wear glasses while watching television, having a second pair nearby means you'll always have clear vision if your main pair is elsewhere.

Enjoy every programme

The right prescription glasses can make films, sport and your favourite television programmes more enjoyable by providing clearer, more relaxed vision throughout your viewing.