Final answer:
Extended reading leads to eye strain due to continuous focus and concentration, causing the ciliary muscles to work harder, and reduced blinking rates leading to dry eyes. Regular breaks are recommended to maintain good eye health.
Step-by-step explanation:
When someone reads for a long period of time, their eyes often get tired. This is most likely due to the continued focus and concentration required to process the visual information, which causes eye muscles to work intensively. Extended reading can lead to eye strain, sometimes known as asthenopia, which is characterized by symptoms such as tired, burning, or itching eyes, blurred vision, and headaches.
The eye strain from reading is related to the need for the ciliary muscles in the eye to maintain the focus on near objects through a process known as accommodation. Additionally, blinking rates typically decrease while reading, which can cause the eyes to become dry and uncomfortable. It's essential to take regular breaks when reading for long hours to help reduce the risk of eye strain and maintain good eye health.