The Truth About 7 Common Eye Myths

While growing up you probably heard people talk about things that were good or bad for your eyes. Some of the advice was accurate. But many other ideas are myths. Learn the truth about seven common eye myths.

1. Eating carrots will improve your vision

Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is essential to maintain healthy eyes. However, eating a lot of carrots will not improve your vision or prevent you from needing prescription eyeglasses or contacts.

Other foods rich in vitamin A are dark leafy greens, brightly colored vegetables, dairy and fish. And to help your body absorb the vitamin A nutrients, make sure to include some healthy fats in your meal.

2. Reading in the dark hurts your eyes

When reading in a dark room, you may experience eye fatigue. However, you will not damage your eyes. Keep your eyes from tiring out by reading in a well-lit space.

3. Sitting too close to the TV can damage your eyes

Sitting too close to the TV can cause eyestrain and give you a headache. But the practice will not hurt your eyes. Sitting close to the TV could be an indication of a vision problem, though, such as nearsightedness.

4. Crossing your eyes is bad for them

Although kids cross their eyes to be silly, they will not permanently damage the eyes or vision. Instead, crossed eyes result from disease or damage to eye muscles or nerves.

5. Wearing glasses all the time impairs vision

Some vision correction issues may become worse with age, but not because of time spent wearing glasses. Tip: When reading or using digital devices for an extended time, eye doctors recommend following the 20-20-20 guideline. Every 20 minutes, look up from the screen to about 20 feet away, for about 20 seconds. It is an excellent way to relax your eyes, giving them time to blink and refresh.

6. Using another person’s glasses may damage your eyes

Wearing eyeglasses with the incorrect prescription will not hurt your vision. However, you may experience blurry vision, eyestrain or a headache. The symptoms should go away after taking off the glasses.

7. Scheduling an eye exam is not necessary

Seeing the eye doctor regularly is essential for healthy vision. When checking your eyes for vision changes, the doctor will look for signs of medical conditions, too. These conditions may include glaucoma, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes. Diagnosing these problems early means you can get treatment before the condition becomes severe.

Most people spend hours every day using their smartphones, tablets and gaming systems. Medical experts believe the blue light from these devices could cause eye strain and affect vision. Learn how to protect your eyes from blue light.

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