Are you chomping carrots to improve your eyesight? What about checking parents’ eye colors to predict those of their children? If you are, you’re buying into common misconceptions about eyes and how they work.
There are many myths surrounding eye health too, including visual impairment. At Advanced Lasik, Randa Garrana, MD, and our team want to set the record straight to improve general eye awareness. Read on as we debunk five common myths about eye health.
Fact: There’s something immersive about viewing a movie or show that fills your field of vision. It’s easier to do in these days of giant flat-screen TVs, but you may still notice your kids sitting “too close” and you worry about long-term effects on their vision.
But you can relax. Sitting close to a TV or video monitor won’t cause permanent eye damage. While it can produce eye strain and headaches, these don’t damage vision in children or adults. In fact, kids have stronger near vision so they may simply prefer to sit closer.
Fact: Can you imagine visiting a bakery, filled with the delicious aroma of fresh-baked bread and suddenly your nose gives out because you were smelling too much? Just as this won’t ever happen, you can’t “wear out” your eyes by using them extensively.
Fact: There are many myths surrounding corrective lens use. Reading fine print, doing close-up work, using the wrong strength lenses, and becoming dependent on these lenses are all myths in need of debunking.
The fact is that corrective lenses simply bend light — they don’t cause changes to your eyes. Once again, some situations may create eye strain and headaches, but it’s nothing that a period of rest won’t solve. As for becoming dependent on corrective lenses: Life is much easier when it’s in focus, so why would you prefer blurry vision?
Fact: Presbyopia (age-related vision loss) and cataracts are two eye conditions that affect more people as they get older. The risk of glaucoma and macular degeneration also increase with age.
However, not everyone succumbs to these conditions. With regular vision care, you can even catch these age-related disorders early, allowing for treatment that corrects, slows, or stops vision loss.
Fact: When you test with 20/20 vision, it refers only to your central vision under bright, controlled conditions. You could still have weak night vision or peripheral (side) vision.
Some diseases, like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, could be active while you still have 20/20 vision, even though these conditions can lead to blindness if left untreated.
Your eyes do need care to sidestep the conditions and diseases that can affect your vision. Visit us at Advanced Lasik if you need ophthalmologic care, including laser vision correction.
With bicoastal offices in the Midtown East section of New York City and Long Beach, California, Dr. Garrana and our team are here to help you maintain healthy eyes and excellent vision. Call or click online to schedule an appointment today.
