Tips for Reading to Protect Your Child's Eyesight (Public Health Network)
1. Paper That's Too White
Books printed on bright white paper look visually appealing with exquisite printing, but they strain the eyes during reading.
Whether reading books or watching TV, excessive contrast negatively impacts vision.
Excessively white paper increases color contrast and reflects light too intensely, overstimulating the optic nerves and causing visual fatigue. This is why lights should be on while watching TV—to reduce contrast. If the paper appears glaringly bright or eyes feel tired after less than 10 minutes of reading, the paper color is unsuitable.
2. Excessive Glare
Quality children's books feature soft, natural-toned colors with minimal glare.
Intense reflections subject eyes to heightened stimulation, forcing the ciliary muscles into prolonged contraction. This accelerates eye fatigue and may lead to functional accommodative myopia over time.
3.Excessively vivid colors
Children's vision requires stimulation, but assuming bright colors alone provide this is a serious misconception. If children become accustomed to overly saturated, vivid hues, their ability to distinguish natural colors diminishes. It's akin to feeding a child excessively salty food, which dulls their sensitivity to flavors. Therefore, newborns need not be exposed to colorful books; begin with black-and-white or monochrome books instead.
Today's book paper comes in a wide variety of colors. While vibrant hues like red and green may attract readers, prolonged exposure causes eye strain. Thus, softer tones like pale yellow or light pink are preferable for book paper, as they reduce eye fatigue during reading.
4. Excessively Detailed Illustrations
While adults may appreciate intricate artwork, children's books should avoid overly detailed or complex illustrations. Text should also not be too small, as this forces children to strain their eyes. They may unconsciously widen their eyes and lean closer to the book, which can adversely affect their vision over time.
Medically speaking, a child's visual development isn't complete at birth; it continues until around age 5. By age 5, a child's normal visual acuity typically reaches 0.8 to 1.0. During this period, protecting a child's eyesight is crucial. Since their eyes aren't fully developed, they shouldn't view overly detailed content. Therefore, larger text and simpler illustrations are preferable.
5. Unusual Odors
Smell the book. Some publishers add chemicals during production to enhance appearance and texture—making books look more attractive or feel more authentic (e.g., books about shells might mimic the texture of real shells). If these materials aren't eco-friendly, they can harm children's health.Generally, harmful substances emit a pungent odor. Before purchasing, give the book a sniff. If it smells unpleasant, avoid buying it. 6. Too stiff or too thin Examine the binding. Paperback paper should not be overly stiff or thin, as this increases the risk of cutting a child's hands.Hardcover books should have rounded or protected corners, as sharp edges can cause injuries. Editor's Summary: When selecting books for children, the paper's color, gloss, hues, and illustrations are crucial. Neglecting these details may harm a child's vision. Parents must be vigilant to avoid damaging their child's eyes through poor book choices.