Today, the global literacy rate is 86.8%, making reading an important and unique part of communication among humans. Reading can improve our cognitive function, our understanding of other people as well as our writing abilities. How and why exactly do people read?
How we Read
For starters, our eyes have 3 types of vision ranges: fovea (or the area at the centre of the retina), parafovea, which expands 5 degrees on either side of a fixation; and periphery, which is everything else.
The peripheral vision is unclear and not detailed, but it picks up colour and movement. Fovea, however, picks up details well and is critical for reading. Most of what we understand clearly when reading, happens in the foveal area. Meanwhile, a letter or two on either side occurs in the parafoveal area.
Why we Love to Read
Most people know how to read, but not everyone loves doing it. Some pick up books for personal enlightenment, entertainment, or professional growth. Some read to beat boredom, while others to enhance their vocabulary and communication skills. And the list of reasons just goes on.
Here are some statistics about why people love to read:
- 26% of those who read simply enjoy learning, gaining knowledge and discovering information.
- 15% cited escaping reality, immersing themselves in another world and being able to use their imagination as their reason for taking pleasure in reading.
- 12% said that reading has high entertainment value while noting the drama in good stories and the suspense of discovering how a plot unfolds.
- 12% equate reading to relaxation and finding their quiet time.
- 6% love the variety of topic books offer.
Source:(PewResearchCenter)
Avoid eye strain whilst reading print
- Have a light source behind you (such as lamp) so that the light is shining directly on the page and not your eyes.
- Every 20 minutes, stare 20 feet into the distance for at least 20 seconds (20-20-20 rule). This will give your eyes a much-needed rest from close-work.
- Focusing, whether on a book or a screen, can reduce the rate at which you blink. Consciously try to blink more to replenish moisture.
- If you have a prescription, ensure that you wear your corrective contact lenses/glasses whilst reading.
- Have an eye test every 2 years (or more frequently if advised to by a healthcare professional).
Avoid eye strain whilst reading online
- Make the text larger on the screen if you are struggling to read it.
- If you are reading a large section of text, consider printing it out to read.
- Adjust your monitor brightness to the level that feels the most comfortable.
- If you wear contact lenses, talk with your optician about their suitability to screen work.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule, as stated above.
Feel Good Contacts can get your eyes ready for reading
Books are a great way to experience the world otherwise unknown to you and learn to communicate better. Just follow the tips above to keep your eyes comfortable and healthy whilst you’re reading. It’s also important to keep your prescription up to date, ensure you’re wearing prescription glasses or high-quality contact lenses to avoid eye strain.
For all your other eye care needs, Feel Good Contacts offers a generous 10% discount for first time customers, and you can earn reward points on every order, saving you even more on future orders.
“The more things you read, the more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss
