Focus on good eye health

MANILA, Philippines - Sitting directly in front of a TV set has always been frowned upon by parents who have had to constantly remind their children to stay at least 10 inches away from the screen. Positioning oneself an appropriate distance from a TV screen is crucial in maintaining good eye health and is synergistic in optimizing the viewing experience as well.  

Recently, UHD TVs entered and transformed the TV market. Many experts are hypothesizing that the UHD screen with a curved form factor may impact our eyesight. By offering an increased number of pixels, UHD TVs provide four times the resolution of Full HD TVs. The emergence of the Curved UHD TVs on the market has revolutionized the public’s usual concept that all TVs are flat.

 Dr. James Edward Sison, a consultant at the St. Luke’s Medical Center’s Comprehensive Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Services (COHESS) and owner/head optometrist of Perez Optical, identifies a direct correlation between a Curved UHD TV and eye health. Excerpts from an interview with Dr. Sison:

Is it true that watching TV causes eyestrain? 

DR. JAMES EDWARD SISON: Prolonged hours of watching TV can cause eyestrain because your eyes are constantly focusing. There are other factors like viewing posture, room illumination, and underlying vision problems that can also contribute to eyestrain. Curved UHD TV produces images that are closer to real life that may help reduce viewing fatigue versus lower HD quality TVs. 

How can Curved TVs reduce eyestrain?

 The viewing distance using a flat TV is shorter from the center and longer towards the periphery, which may make your eye focus more especially during fast-paced sequences. The field of view of a Curved UHD TV is more natural and the edge of the TV wraps around the viewer. Curved UHD TVs give you a more uniform viewing distance when your eyes move from the center of the screen to the periphery.

Have you had a hands-on experience with a Curved UHD TV?

Yes, I was able to experience the difference viewing a flat Full HD TV versus the Curved UHD models. The Curved UHD TV had a sharper image and appeared more natural.  The pixels were more tightly packed with more resolution. It was more comfortable than what I had expected.

The curved screen is said to resemble the structure of the human eye, is that true?

The most anterior portion of the eye is the cornea, a curve dome-shaped structure.  It is because of that curve structure that it can refract or bend light into the pupil for us to experience vision. I also noticed that the Curved UHD TV screen gives a panoramic effect that makes the screen look bigger than it actually is. Even if people are watching together, the view of the periphery or edge of the TV is still clear, so those watching at the edges still experience the UHD effect.

How can we protect our eyes while watching TV? 

Prolonged watching of TV or other video display terminals can cause eyestrain, regardless of how advanced the UHD images it produces. It is because our eyes are constantly focusing at the same point in space for a prolonged period of time.  We should take frequent breaks by closing our eyes, looking at a distant target or engaging in outdoor activities. Poor posture, for example, lying down on your side, can also contribute to eyestrain. Indoor lighting should be as close as possible to the brightness of the TV to reduce contrast. Lastly, there are many ophthalmic lenses on the market that can help reduce glare and eyestrain, so best to first seek consult from your local eye care practitioner. 

Curved UHD TVs have the potential to introduce a brand-new and revolutionary viewing experience for audiences. The technological and health benefits of the product allow for hours of enjoyment with family and friends without any worry of eyestrain and fatigue.

The Samsung Curved UHD TV boasts crisp picture quality, four times more powerful than an HD screen alone, and a change in perspective that makes images appear larger and true-to-life. Compared to flat screen TVs, this special screen allows for a more realistic viewing experience even in different angles, ensuring that everyone gets the best seat in the house. Samsung offers the highest and most optimal curvature (4200R*) among the curved TVs on the market, which provides the best viewing experience from a normal viewing distance of three to four meters.

The combination of the curved screen and UHD technology automatically adjusts contrast for a greater sense of depth and gives a 3D effect without requiring glasses. Imagine seeing everything pop right in front of you in spectacular color, clarity, and detail that only Samsung can give. When it comes to creating curved TVs, curvature equals technology power. Samsung has employed state-of-the-art engineering to optimize the curve for unparalleled experiences, completely redesigning and engineering many of the components from the ground up. 

The Samsung Curved UHD TV is available in 78-inch, 65-inch, and 55-inch models at all Samsung authorized dealer stores nationwide.