We have been told time and time again that sitting too close to the television will ruin our eyesight – but just how true is this?

Simply, sitting close to the television may give you a headache, but it will not have an impact on your eyesight. Despite the myth, no matter how close you sit to the television this will not cause greater damage.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), children find it easier to focus up close to the television screen more so than adults. As they do not feel eyestrain, unlike many adults, they tend to develop a habit of sitting too close and even holding books, phones etc. close to their eyes.

According to the experts at House Call Doctor, if you find yourself sitting quite close to the television to see images clearly, it may actually be a sign you could need glasses, specifically for near-sightedness.

The myth is believed to have started in the late 1960s when a company called General Electric sold televisions which emitted high levels of radiation, some even 100,000 times higher than what health experts considered safe.

Given the danger of the products, the company was forced to recall and repair any hazardous televisions sold.

Now, televisions have proper shielding to block radiation, so it does not matter how close or how far you sit to a television.

Simply, the only problems a television can cause, as mentioned, are eyestrain or even fatigue. With this being said, both problems can be cured by resting your eyes or taking a break from staring at a television screen.

If you are experiencing eyestrain, it is recommended to consult with an optometrist for further advice or treatment.