One episode, then two, then the whole season. Binge-watching has become the evening pastime, on a TV, a tablet or a phone. Nothing serious for your eyes — but a few settings make the difference between a comfortable evening and eyes that sting the next morning.
Don't watch in total darkness
It's the “cinema” reflex, and it's the most tiring. A bright screen in a dark room forces your eyes into constant contrast. Leave a small warm lamp on behind or next to the screen: the picture still looks great, and your eyes work much less.
Set up the screen for the evening
- Brightness: TVs leave the factory in “shop” mode, far too bright for a living room. Choose a “cinema” or “movie” mode, which is gentler.
- Night mode: on tablets and phones, schedule it for sunset. It warms up colours automatically.
- Distance: at least two to three metres from the TV; a tablet at arm's length, not on your nose.
Tablet or phone in bed
It's the screen closest to your eyes, and often the last one switched on. Put it on a stand rather than holding it 20 cm from your face, lower the brightness to the lowest comfortable level, and set yourself a stop time. Evening light delays melatonin, the sleep hormone; we explain how in our article on screens and sleep.
Blink… between episodes
Gripped by a scene, you blink much less, and your eyes dry out. Make the most of the credits: close your eyes for a few seconds, look into the distance, blink slowly. If your eyes are often dry in the evening, read our tips against dry eyes.
Tinted lenses for the sofa?
This is their ideal moment. An amber or orange lens filters a large share of the blue light from the screen and the room, whereas night mode only acts on the screen. Many people find the picture softer and the end of the evening calmer. Studies remain modest on the real effect on sleep: test it honestly for two weeks, as we explain in the article on sleep.
- SAFRAN — round and black, amber lenses: the most versatile tint for TV.
- DUNE — round and black, orange lenses: for evenings that finish late.
A tinted lens changes colours: perfect for a series, less so for judging a film's colour grading. And you take it off to drive at night.
The “series” routine in 5 points
- A warm lamp switched on near the screen.
- Cinema mode on the TV, night mode on the tablet.
- At least two metres from the TV.
- A break with your eyes closed during every set of credits.
- A stop time, and tinted lenses if the screen stays on late.
And if your eyes stay red or painful, or your vision blurs, see a professional: no non-prescription pair replaces medical advice.