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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    I have glaucoma and want to know if reading will deteriorate my eyesight?

    Related Topic
    Glaucoma
    I do a lot of reading and wish to continue but worry that it will damage my eyesight.
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  • 5

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    Dr Colin Clement

    Ophthalmologist (Eye Specialist)

    Irrespective of whether you have glaucoma, macular degeneration or any other ocular condition, reading will not harm your eye sight or make that condition worse.

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    Glaucoma Australia

    Glaucoma Australia is the peak glaucoma awareness/education/support association in Australia.It is a national, not-for-profit registered charity dedicated to providing educational services to raise awareness about … View Profile

    Reading should not cause any eye problems and may be good for your brain.
    While prolonged reading might tire the eyes, there is no evidence that it damages them or your eye sight in any way. This applies whether or not glaucoma is present.
    Some eyes that are predisposed to angle closure may cause symptoms when reading. If you are getting headaches and blurred vision reading you should mention this to your optometrist or eye specialist. 

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    Dr Harry Melides

    Optometrist

    Have been in private practice for 40 years and specialise in assessing eye diseases and giving professional advice regarding these conditions. With the installation of … View Profile

    Really visa versa, as they say.

    Reading won't affect Glaucoma, some recent studies have indicated a lot of night reading causing dilated pupils can cause a transient increase in eye pressure.

    But Glaucoma and its side effects can affect reading, we lose our peripheral vision first, but with time central vision is lost.

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