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My Father-in-law is an optometrist. Here is what he had to say:

"I read this off the screen (more reading off a screen than I may have ever done. I am notorious for printing any extensive reading to hard copy). He seems to omit, or not directly mention, four differences between reading text from a screen (his, for instance)and reading a book or magazine.

1. Line length. Return sweeps on his material were uncomfortably long. (newsprint and Reader's Digest win in that category)

2. It is not held in hand. Tactual support definitely assists visual performance in some individuals.

3. The level of the material. Reading printed text is most generally done in the inferior field of gaze where the visual system tends to converge more efficiently due to the mechanics of the extra-ocular muscles.

4. Glare (almost present on some shiny texts and magazines which tends to interfere for most of us)."

- John