Many Chinese seem to believe that reading while on a bus/car can damage eyes. Is there any truth to this?

Question

I would like to know if there is any medical evidence to support this widespread belief which I have encountered in China.

Answer 1

I would imagine that it could. Afterall, your constantly moving around that would add to the pressure of the eyes.

Answer 2

Why not get some help from a Bible teacher? You'd have the same dilemma if someone gave you a book about quantum mechanics or bee-keeping ... I do stress the importance of starting at the right place ... the NEW TESTAMENT. Don't get bogged down in Genesis and all the long- winded books of the Old Testament - it's the history and theocratic law of the ancient Hebrew people. To understand what the original church did .. read Acts. To learn about Jesus' life and teaching .. read the four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke & John .. and especially John, as He knew the Lord better than anyone. Acts is about starting the first branches of the church. All the books after Acts were letters written to the new churches and followers .. for guidance, values & doctrine. ( Leave Revelation alone until you understand more .. as it may only scare the pants off you)

Answer 3

mom always told me this too. Your eyes focused at one point for any length of time creates strain. Significant time significa strain. When muscles are overworked, and yes, eye muscles can be over worked, they tend to not work properly for a length of time. The muscles will not damage the eyes right away. but over time the eye can become mishapen and malformed, much like bad posteur can damage the spine.

reading while moving can create symptoms of vertigo, headaches, nausea, dizziness....and even trigger migranes. Motion around you that your brain picks up often distracts the mind while the eyes read. Do this for any long periods of time and you can develope a syndrome-like affliction of any number of different things.

Answer 4

ff factors go into making your eyes uncomfortable. The nature of the road you're traveling on matters here.In that bad roads will definately lead to heavy pressure being exerted on your nerves and you have to constanly move your eyes to catch up with the stuff you're reading.In this case you have given too much work to the eyes to do, reading to understand and the stress of trying to catch up with the flying letters on your sheet of paper.
This belief or whatever, might have emerged during the days of poor road net work fascilities.I'm not sure..Because currently chinese do read on train which is smooth in movement

Answer 5

My mother, who is
A) not Chinese
B) ophtalmologist
always told me that too. Apparently your eyes get used to focusing and refocusing only on objects in close distance - slight movement of vehicle forces eyes to accomodate on text constantly. Apart from that your eyes get tired quickly that way.

Not to mention a non-ophtalmological problem that some people would get sick while attempting to read in a car. Hope it helps

Answer 6

I have a wonky eye, and therefore I am able to read a book on the bus, and at the same time read passing signs.
As for beliefs in China, you should denounce them.

Answer 7

I don't know about the eyes, but reading in a car makes me want to throw up >_<

Answer 8

I don't know about this being related to a belief system of any one race but a lot of people, like myself can get motion sickness, bouts of dizzy spells, if I attempt to read on a moving vehicle.

Answer 9

Ah YES. If your driving the bus or car, it can cause more damage other than your eyes.

Answer 10

Probably because of the lighting.That is a key in good reading.