Tips for Reading on Your iPad to Minimize Eye Strain

As a lightweight computer tablet, the iPad makes an excellent reading device. Made for portable entertainment, the iPad’s clear definitions and usability blend across web browsing, music, videos, and, yes, even books. However, as we evolve to use e-readers, we have to be aware of the differences compared to books. That’s why, at ZUGU, we want to suggest some of the best iPad settings for reading and other tips to consider. With so much literature available on Apple Books, you can read to your heart’s content with a little safety in mind. 

iPad Reading Tips for Eye Health

Whether you’re using your iPad to read eBooks, study documents, or catch up on articles, it’s common to experience eye strain after prolonged use. The bright, backlit screen of an iPad can tire the eyes, especially in dim environments or during extended reading sessions.

To help avoid eye strain when using your iPad or other devices, a few simple guidelines can be followed before making any technical changes. Keeping the iPad at a certain distance from your eyes, at the right angle, and remembering to take regular breaks can make all the difference. 

Distance from Eyes: Keep your screen 20 to 28 inches from your eyes. This distance ensures that you're not too close to the screen, reducing eye strain.​

Take Breaks: Following the 20-20-20 rule can be a game-changer. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus on something 20 feet away to relax your eyes​.

Screen Position: Position the screen 15 to 20 degrees below eye level, which helps minimize neck strain and prevents you from looking directly down for long periods.

Blink Often: When using your device, be mindful to blink more frequently to keep your eyes moist and reduce dryness.

Optimizing iPad Screen Settings for Reading

Through a few simple changes, you can minimize discomfort and make your iPad more eye-friendly. From adjusting brightness levels to using features like Night Shift and Dark Mode, these tweaks can protect your eye health and ensure a more enjoyable time spent reading on your iPad.

Balance the best iPad brightness for reading to match the ambient light in your environment. Setting the screen too bright can cause glare and strain your eyes, while a screen that’s too dim can lead to squinting and discomfort, especially during extended reading sessions.

• Adjust Brightness Manually: For optimal reading comfort, set your iPad’s brightness to match the ambient light around you. A higher brightness setting may be appropriate in well-lit spaces, while lowering the brightness will help reduce eye fatigue in darker settings.
• Use Auto-Brightness: The iPad’s Auto-Brightness feature automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on the surrounding light. Enabling this feature can help maintain a comfortable reading experience as it adapts to changing light conditions throughout the day.

How to Enable Auto-Brightness

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
3. Toggle on Auto-Brightness.

This ensures that your iPad screen remains at an appropriate brightness level without constant manual adjustments, helping to reduce strain and improve your overall reading experience.

Enable Night Shift Mode 

The iPad night mode for reading is another simple setting. Night Shift adjusts the screen's color temperature to warmer tones, which reduces blue light emission. Blue light can interfere with sleep and cause eye strain during evening reading sessions. To turn on Night Shift, navigate to Settings > Display & Brightness > Night Shift. You can set it to activate automatically from sunset to sunrise or customize the schedule to your preference.

Utilize Dark Mode: Dark mode switches the background color to black and the text to white or light gray, reducing the overall brightness and potential glare from the screen. This mode can be easier on the eyes, particularly in low-light conditions. Enable Dark Mode by going to Settings > Display & Brightness and selecting Dark. You can also set Dark Mode to activate automatically at specific times.

iPad Blue Light Filter: For additional comfort, consider using a blue light filter app or built-in feature. Blue light filters adjust the display’s color tone to warmer hues, reducing blue light exposure. The iPad’s Night Shift feature doubles as a blue light filter, but if you’re looking for more customization, third-party apps can provide enhanced control.

Reading on an iPad vs a Kindle for Eye Strain 

There’s debate over whether an iPad or Kindle is better for reading, particularly when it comes to eye strain. The Kindle uses E Ink technology, which mimics paper and emits minimal light, making it gentler on the eyes during long reading sessions. In contrast, iPads rely on LED lighting, which can cause eye strain if not adjusted properly.

While the Kindle is easier on the eyes, the iPad offers more versatility, allowing users to browse the web, read PDFs, and take notes, making it a multifunctional device. For reading documents or textbooks, this can improve focus and reduce fatigue. The Kindle’s compact size is great for portability, but the iPad Pro’s larger screen can display multiple pages. Also, the iPad Mini is only slightly larger than a Kindle, with much more functionality.

The Kindle also requires more frequent screen taps and offers limited font adjustments, while the iPad allows for easy navigation and customization. Both devices benefit from protective covers, but with options like the ZUGU case for the iPad, the adjustable viewing angles create added comfort wherever you are. Being able to relax in a comfortable lying or sitting position can make for a better reading experience.

Related: The Benefits of Adjustable Magnetic Stands on Your iPad Case

Further iPad Settings and Add-Ons

There are further iPad screen settings to reduce eye strain. Invert Colors reverses the screen's color scheme, which can enhance readability for some users, especially at night. Here’s how to enable Invert Colors:

• Open Settings
• Tap Accessibility
• Tap Display & Text Size
• Turn on Smart Invert to reverse colors everywhere except images or Classic Invert to reverse all colors on the screen. 

Color filters also help reduce eye fatigue by adjusting the screen's display to make it more comfortable for prolonged viewing. By changing the colors and contrasts on the screen, these filters reduce the strain on the eyes caused by harsh brightness or high levels of blue light, which can contribute to discomfort. For individuals who are sensitive to certain light wavelengths, such as those with color blindness or light sensitivity, color filters can also enhance contrast and clarity, making the screen easier to read.  

To use color filters on an iPad, you can do the following: 

• Open Settings
• Tap Accessibility
• Tap Display & Text Size
• Tap Color Filters
• Turn on Color Filters
• Select a color filter. 

You can also set up a quick access shortcut by going to Settings > General > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and selecting the desired features. Triple-clicking the Home button will then activate the shortcut. 

To further reduce eye strain, lower your screen's brightness to match the ambient light level and take regular breaks from screen time. By implementing these tips and accessibility features, you can significantly improve your viewing experience and reduce eye fatigue on your Apple device.

iPad Apps for Comfortable Reading

Several iPad apps for comfortable reading can help enhance the reading experience while reducing eye strain. Apps like Kindle, Apple Books, and Audible offer adjustable brightness, font size, and background color options, allowing you to customize the display to suit your comfort level. Night mode or dark mode features in these apps can further reduce blue light exposure, especially during night-time reading, making it easier on your eyes.

iPad Screen Protector for Eye Strain

An iPad screen protector for eye strain is designed to reduce glare and blue light. It can also help minimize eye strain during extended iPad use. These protectors are specially designed to reduce screen reflections, soften harsh lighting, and filter out harmful blue light, promoting a more comfortable viewing experience. With a quality screen protector, users can enjoy longer periods of screen time without the discomfort typically associated with prolonged exposure.

Comfortable Reading on the iPad

The iPad can be your on-the-go library and marks a turning point for avid readers. When using your tablet for long reading sessions, you can protect yourself from eye strain with multiple setting options and screen protectors, and by being conscious about session times and reading angles. For the ideal reading perspective, consider investing in a sophisticated and versatile ZUGU case. Whether you’re reading in bed, on the couch, or at a cafe, having your iPad stable and at the perfect distance will immensely improve those cozy reading time