Common Vision Myths

How much do you know about your eyes and vision? Maybe a lot less than you think because your “knowledge” may be just rumors. You can’t take care of your eyesight if you have basic facts about them wrong.
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Here are some myths and the reality from the American Academy of Opthalmology.

Eating carrots helps your sight

Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyesight, and carrots have high amounts of it. We need only a small amount of vitamin A to support our vision and it’s in a variety of foods, including,
  • Dark, leafy greens
  • Brightly colored vegetables
  • Dairy
  • Fish
Vitamin A can help maintain good eyesight, but it won't improve your vision or prevent you from needing vision correction through eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Eye exercises can improve your vision

They won’t preserve your sight, make it better or eliminate the need for glasses. What you see is shaped by multiple factors that won’t significantly change through eye exercises. They may be helpful for convergence insufficiency. This condition occurs if the eyes won’t work together to focus on a nearby object.

Crossing your eyes will make them stay that way

Properly functioning eye muscles move your eyes in all directions. Moving them in any direction, including crossing them, won’t force them to stay that way. Disease, uncorrected vision, muscle or nerve damage may cause eyes to cross permanently.

Color blindness results in seeing just black and white

Most of those with color blindness see partial color. The most severe and rare color blindness causes vision in shades of gray. Most color blind people have difficulty distinguishing between greens and reds.

Reading in dim light will harm to your vision

Reading in dim light will not harm your eyes. With better lighting, it’s easier to see and it should prevent your eyes from tiring quickly.

Using computers screens can damage your eyes

This is not the case, but doing so without breaks can lead to eyestrain, tired, or dry eyes. Give your eyes a break every twenty minutes by looking up or across the room. Blinking regularly should keep your eyes lubricated and artificial tears can promote moisture, making your eyes more comfortable.

Using eyeglasses or contact lenses will make you dependent on them

Using glasses or contacts won't worsen your vision or cause eye disease. If your vision needs correction, use them to avoid eye strain and to see clearly.

Using the wrong eyeglasses will hurt your eyes

Glasses with an incorrect or outdated prescription will not harm your eyes, but it may result in eye strain, blurred vision, or headaches.

Worsening sight is an inevitable part of aging

Vision problems become more common as people age, but it’s not the case for all people. Regular eye exams can discover vision problems early, making successful treatment more likely.

A cataract needs to be ‘ripe’ before it can be removed

A cataract so cloudy it compromises your vision can be removed. Insurance may cover cataract procedures only if your sight has been impacted to a certain degree.

Eyes can be transplanted

Successful eye transplants are not currently possible. Eyes are complex organs connected to your brain by optic nerves, which are made of more than a million tiny nerve fibers. Once cut, they cannot be reconnected.  The cornea, the clear, front part of your eye, can be transplanted if it’s damaged or diseased. If you have questions about your vision or you’re having problems with your sight that need to be addressed, contact the Lehigh Valley Center for Sight at 610-437-4988 or fill out our contact form so we can start the conversation and work together to protect your sight and your ability to live your life. Houman Ahdieh, MD Lehigh Valley Center for Sight https://www.lvcenter4sight.com eyedoc@lvcenter4sight.com

https://www.lvcenter4sight.com/common-vision-myths/

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