24 Feb 5 Myths About Your Eyes
Have you ever heard random facts about your eyes that made you question their health? Have you been told by family and friends that certain things will hurt or benefit your eyes…but their advice just doesn’t make sense? What you are hearing may in fact be eye health myths! It’s likely that you have heard of one or more eye health myths throughout your lifetime. Continue reading to learn 5 myths about your eyes that have now been debunked!
Myth 1: Wearing Glasses Weakens Your Eyes, Making You More Dependent On Them
Were you ever prescribed glasses, but were afraid to wear them because you thought it would weaken your eyes? Well, that is a myth! If you have experienced a change in vision, it is extremely important that you wear your prescribed glasses. While glasses do not fix your vision, they bend light so that it properly hits your retina, allowing your eyes to focus on objects—and see them properly. Once you are prescribed glasses, you may notice that your prescription continues to change… this is not caused by glasses use, but by your own body and genetics. In fact, failing to wear your glasses can cause strain to your eyes, making it more likely your prescription could worsen. By wearing glasses you are not weakening your vision, you are in fact allowing yourself to see more clearly!
Myth 2: Eye Diseases Are Only A Risk For Those With Poor Eyesight
While you may believe there is a correlation between poor eyesight and poor eye health, eye diseases are actually a risk for anyone! Glaucoma and cataracts are diseases that anyone can experience, and often have to do with your age, genetic makeup and family history. Be careful, though… while the risk for these diseases increases with age, they can still occur at a younger age. Although there are no preventative measures for these diseases, there are some daily changes you can make to reduce the damage they cause. Early detection of eye disease is always the best measure to stop further damage to the eyes, so be sure to visit your eye doctor for regular checkups!
Myth 3: Reading In Dim Light Will Damage Your Eyesight
You will not damage your eyesight by reading in dim light… but it can still cause other related issues. While you will not experience vision loss from reading in dim lighting, you might experience headaches or eye strain. If you have access to additional lighting in your reading or working space, then it should be used in the evening hours to prevent eye strain. But, if you find you are trying to finish reading an action-packed chapter in your book and just can’t stop… you can rest assured that continuing to read in dim lighting will not damage your vision!
Myth 4: Eating Carrots Will Improve Your Eyesight
Eating carrots will not directly improve your eyesight. However, eating a diet that includes carrots and other vitamin-rich foods can help maintain your eye health. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, which is turned into Vitamin A by the liver. Vitamin A is important to both your overall health and eye health, and can assist in maintaining your eyesight. While carrots are good for you, you can also increase Vitamin A intake through many other foods including fish, leafy greens, and other bright vegetables. While eating carrots will never harm your eyesight, you do not need to eat like a rabbit… you can maintain your eyes with a varied, vitamin-rich diet!
Myth 5: Eye Examinations Are Only Necessary For People With Vision Problems
Do you believe that you have perfect vision? Although you might have 20/20 vision and no need for corrective lenses, it is still necessary to participate in regular eye examinations. Annual eye examinations allow your optometrist to discover eye diseases that may not be easily detectable, or can be more easily treated if caught in the early stages, such as melanoma or glaucoma. Your optometrist is also the only one who can catch any issues with your night vision or peripheral vision. Do not fall for the myth that 20/20 vision means your eyes are healthy, as this mindset can be detrimental to your overall health and wellness. To ensure your eyes really are “perfect,” check in with the experts, and have your eyes examined regularly!
How many of these eye health myths did you believe before reading this blog? We hope that we have helped clear up any misconceptions that you may have had about your eyes. Now, the hard part… to convince your friends and family that they do not know best! If you are curious to learn more about your eyes, how to keep your eyes healthy, and maybe even have some additional eye care myths debunked, contact your optometrist today!
The optometry team at Dr. D’Orio Eyecare can assist you with any of your vision needs. To book an appointment today, visit https://drdorioeyecare.com/book-appointment/ or call us at 416 656 2020 for our Toronto location, or 416 661 5555 for our North York location.
