MadSci Network: General Biology |
Hi Nathan, I'm not aware that watching TV in the dark causes any more harm than watching TV with lots of light. Same goes for computer monitors. As it generally is true that your pupils become more dilated in the dark, it is porbably not significant enough to make much if any difference in the amount of radiation reaching the retina. Also, equal amounts of radiation can reach the outer structures of the eye like the cornea, conjunctiva, and iris whether you are dilated or not. Anyway, I think a lot more damage can occur from the sun's harmful radiation if not wearing UV protected sunglasses if spending considerable amount of time outdoors. But as far as TVs and computer monitors in the dark, I wouldn't worry about it! Good luck! Kenton L. McWilliams, O.D.
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