Five Eye Myths and Why They’re Wrong

Believing these misconceptions about our eyes may be putting your vision at risk

Chances are you have been exposed to a lot of advice regarding your eyesight. Some of it is probably true, while much of it likely has no scientific basis.

Here are five common myths about our eyes and the reasons why they are just that, myths.

Myth #1 – Prescription Eyewear Makes Your Vision Worse

People believe that simply wearing glasses and contact lenses can make your vision worse. On the surface, this myth appears plausible. It seems to make sense that using vision correction tools can make us so reliant on them that our eyes gradually lose the ability to see on their own. However, this is false. Glasses and contact lenses don’t do your seeing for you. Rather, they collaborate with your eyes to give you the best visual experience possible. They’re an aid, not a substitute. Because some people experience a decline in their vision, they falsely associate that decline with their eyewear usage.

Myth #2 – Eating Carrots Improves Your Vision

Carrots are normally one of the first items you hear when people recite lists of foods that promote good vision. Carrots contain Vitamin A, a nutrient vital to the health of our eyes. At some point, the knowledge of carrots being good for your eyes got blown out of proportion, and people began to believe that carrots can offset bad vision. Unfortunately, imitating Bugs Bunny and eating a bunch of carrots does not suddenly reverse the course of your vision. That’s not to say you should skip adding this veggie to your salads, but expecting your eyesight to perform a one-eighty will leave you disappointed.

Myth #3 – TV and Computer Screens Damage Your Eyes

Make no mistake – extended time in front of digital screens can cause a great deal of eye strain, bouts of dry eyes, and the occasional headache. But being close to a television or monitor for too long does not result in myopia (nearsightedness). The reason why people tend to subscribe to this myth is because those who end up sitting close to screens are doing so because they are already experiencing nearsightedness. As a result, once the symptoms are officially diagnosed, the individual falsely accuses their screen usage as the culprit.

Myth #4 – Loss of Sight Is Inevitable

There’s a difference between vision impairment and total blindness. Because it’s normal for our eyes to deteriorate as we grow older, people assume that blindness is unavoidable once you reach a certain age. However, the causes of blindness – cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, to name a few – are not guaranteed for all of us despite becoming more likely the older we get. Like most age-related conditions, these issues are avoidable through a preventative lifestyle that includes healthy living choices that decrease the likelihood of developing these disorders. A healthy diet, exercise, and sunglass wear are solid first steps to defending yourself against the risks of vision loss.

Myth #5 – Eye Exams Are Only Needed Once You’re Having Issues

This is one of the most unfortunate misconceptions about eye health that exists, as it leads to thousands of preventable cases of vision impairment every year. Millions of people neglect to schedule their annual eye exam. Many are under the impression that, because their vision is in good shape now, it will remain in good shape indefinitely. Of course, this is far from the truth. Eyesight degeneration is often a slow process that takes a while to manifest symptoms. Catching eye conditions requires consistent eye exams that are spaced no more than one year apart. In short, eye exams are preventative measures rather than solutions to existing problems. If you wait until you are already experiencing issues, then it is already too late.

The best protection against these and other myths is regular consultation with eye care professionals. Our team at Sterling Vision is composed of some of the most experienced optometrists in the field who can provide you with the knowledge to avoid falling into any of these traps. To schedule an appointment with us, call 541-262-0597 or schedule online.