At Lake Nona Eye Care we have patients coming in asking all sorts of questions. Here are just a few of the most popular eye care myths exposed:
Eye Myth Number 1: Eating lots of carrots will improve your vision.
The Fact: Carrots are full of Vitamin A, necessary for good vision. If you eat a health diet, you’re probably already getting enough vitamin A, since only a small amount of vitamin A is needed. Other foods rich in vitamin A include sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and butternut squash.
Eye Myth Number 2: Reading in dim lighting will hurt your eyes.
The Fact: Although reading in dim lighting will cause your eyes to work harder, it won’t cause physical damage to your eyes. It may strain your eyes causing blurred vision, itchy eyes, headaches, neck and back aches.
Eye Myth Number 3: Wearing glasses will make my eyes dependent on them.
The Fact: Glasses and contacts focus your eyes like a camera. Seeing clearly is always better than uncorrected vision, though you may feel more dependent on your glasses you’re really just getting used to seeing clearly.
Eye Myth Number 4: Sitting too long or to close to the computer screen or TV can damage your vision.
The Fact: Starring at the computer or TV can cause eye strain but not lasting damage. However the strain on your eyes can cause the same host of issues as reading in dim lighting, eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision.
Eye Myth Number 5: An eye examination is necessary only if you’re having problems.
The Fact: According to Prevent Blindness, “Everyone should follow proper eye healthcare, which includes regular eye exams, whether or not you are having any noticeable signs of problems. Children should be tested at birth, at 6 months of age, before entering school and periodically throughout the school years. For adults, the frequency depends on your doctor’s advice and may be every two years or more often. If you have diabetes or an eye disease, you should go every year for a comprehensive eye exam.”
Eye Myth Number 6: There’s nothing you can do to prevent vision loss.
The Fact: Prevent Blindness reveals that “More than 90% of eye injuries can be prevented, when simple and relatively inexpensive safety precautions are followed. That means choosing the correct eye safety glasses for the job and wearing them 100% of the time. Regular eye exams can help save your sight. Early detection of vision problems is crucial to preventing vision loss from many eye diseases—especially diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.”