While reading

Reading is not only a mental activity but also a very strenuous physical exercise, therefore correct sitting posture is extremely important.

The ideal posture for reading is a position where the head is held upright and the person holds their book at a right angle in front of their eyes. Since many children usually read or study at a desk, this advice is hard to follow. However, if the child sits with his or her knees pulled up, the position becomes possible. The act of looking down creates a gravitational pull that puts an unnecessary strain on the globe of the eye. Reading while looking sideways is also not recommended.

It is very important that the book is 12 - 14 inches (30 to 35 cm) away from the eyes and that the lighting is adequate!

It is also important to check yourself during reading. Are you wrinkling your forehead? Are you squinting? Are you staring at the book? If any of this occurs, take a break. You can even relax your eyes by looking at the white margins of the book but the best is if you take a walk and focus your eyes to something in the distance and let your eye relax.

While sick or tired do not put strain on your eyes for a longer period of time. Relax and take it easy instead of reading!