8 Common Eye Care Myths - Are they fact or are they fiction?

There are many common myths about eye care, and not all of them are true. Below are 8 of the most common myths surrounding eye health, and whether or not they actually hold some truth.

Myth 1: Reading in dim lights can damage your eyes.

Fiction. Reading in dim light can lead to eye strain and discomfort, but these symptoms are just temporary. It will not cause any permanent damage. To avoid these, try and ensure adequate light whilst reading.

Myth 2: Sitting too close to a TV or a computer screen will harm your eyes.

Fiction. Sitting in close proximity to bright screens can lead to eye strain or fatigue, but will not result in any lasting damage. If you are someone who spends a significant portion of time sitting close to a screen, following the 20-20-20 rule will help alleviate these symptoms (every 20 minutes of sitting close to a screen, take a 20 second break looking at an object 20 feet away), as well as ensuring proper ambient lighting conditions. Remember to avoid staring at your screen and keep blinking regularly.

Myth 3: Wearing glasses or contact lenses weakens your eyesight over time.

Fact. While corrective lenses don’t weaken your eyes, for those with minimal prescriptions avoiding the use of these all of the time will help your prescription to remain stable for a longer time. As previously mentioned, corrective lenses do not weaken your eyes as they simply adjust light rays and help them focus, improving vision without altering the structure of the eye. Not wearing lenses for those who need them can lead to eye strain and discomfort.

Myth 4: Eating carrots will improve your vision.

Fiction. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, a nutrient essential for maintaining good eye health. But consuming them in excess will not improve your vision beyond normal levels, and can in some cases of degenerative conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa can be detrimental. Following a balanced rich in various vitamins in minerals will support eye health. Vitamin A supplements are not advised for smokers or ex smoker as these can increase the risk of cancer.

Myth 5: Eye exercises can eliminate the need for glasses.

Fiction. While there is some anecdotal evidence that for some people with very weak myopia or hyperopia, eye exercises have eliminated the need for corrective lenses, there is no scientific evidence to support this. Glasses or contact lenses solve refractive errors due to the shape of the eye. The best way to solve these errors is to wear corrective lenses or surgery.

Myth 6: Crossing your eyes can make them permanently crossed.

Fiction. Temporarily crossing your eyes will not lead to permanent misalignment. Permanent crossing of the eyes (strabismus) is a result of an underlying medical condition and not voluntary movements.

Myth 7: Only older adults need regular eye exams.

Fiction. Regular eye exams are essential for people of all ages to ensure optimal eye health, particularly if you have an individual or family history of eye conditions. Regular exams will help ensure that even conditions without any noticeable symptoms are detected and treated early, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Myth 8: Wearing sunglasses indoors protects your eyes.

Fiction. Sunglasses are designed to protect your eyes from UV ray from sunlight, but these are typically much stronger outdoors. Wearing glasses inside will reduce your visibility without providing much additional protection. It is important to remember to wear sunglasses outdoors when it is bright to help protect your vision.

For more information or if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help. Schedule a consultation with our experts at EyeMedics.