Developing a headache after watching television is a common experience. This discomfort often stems from factors affecting the visual system and overall physical comfort. Understanding these causes can help address why headaches arise during or after screen exposure.
Visual Stress
Headaches from watching television often stem from eye strain. Prolonged screen focus leads to digital eye strain, also known as asthenopia, tiring the eye muscles responsible for focusing. This continuous effort can result in headaches, eye discomfort, and blurred vision.
Uncorrected or improperly corrected vision can exacerbate eye strain. When eyes work harder to compensate for conditions like farsightedness or astigmatism, increased muscular effort can trigger headaches. Dry eye syndrome is another factor, occurring because individuals blink less frequently when concentrating on a screen. This decreased blinking causes tears to evaporate more quickly, leading to irritation and discomfort that can manifest as a headache.
Environmental and Screen Settings
External elements in the viewing environment and television settings significantly influence eye comfort and can contribute to headaches. Room lighting plays a role; watching TV in a completely dark room or one with excessive glare strains the eyes. The contrast between a bright screen and a dark background forces eyes to work harder.
Screen brightness and contrast settings also impact visual comfort. A screen too bright or too dim for ambient light can lead to eye fatigue. The distance and angle from which you watch television are equally important ergonomic factors. Sitting too close or too far, or viewing the screen at an awkward angle, can cause eye and neck strain. Some older screens or certain display settings can also produce imperceptible screen flicker, contributing to eye fatigue.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If headaches persist, worsen, or do not improve with self-care measures, consult a healthcare professional. This is especially true if headaches become frequent or severe.
Seek professional advice if headaches are accompanied by other concerning symptoms. These include double vision, severe eye pain, dizziness, numbness or weakness in the limbs, or difficulty speaking or balancing. Such symptoms could indicate an underlying condition requiring diagnosis and management, like unmanaged migraines, neurological issues, or an updated eye prescription.
Practical Solutions
Implementing straightforward practices can help alleviate or prevent headaches associated with watching television:
- Apply the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your gaze to an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This allows eye muscles to relax and encourages natural blinking.
- Optimize the viewing environment. Adjust room lighting to avoid extreme darkness or glare, and set the television’s brightness to match ambient light.
- Position the screen about 1.5 to 2.5 times its diagonal size away, ensuring the top is at or slightly below eye level for comfortable posture.
- Consciously blink more often and stay well-hydrated to support eye lubrication.
- Undergo regular eye examinations to address vision issues.
- Use artificial tears for additional moisture if dry eyes are a concern.