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In the world of eye health, there’s plenty of misinformation out there stemming from people’s desire to protect their eyesight. It’s important to be able to distinguish between myths and reality to ensure you’re taking the proper steps to keep your eyes healthy.
Keep reading to learn the truth behind six pervasive myths about eye health and vision.
Myth #1: You Can Improve Your Vision by Eating Carrots
You’ve probably heard somewhere that eating carrots is a good way to improve your vision. Maybe your parents even told you this when you were a child to get you to eat your vegetables. However, it’s not that simple.
This myth originated during World War II when, in an attempt to conceal their use of aircraft interception radar, the Royal Air Force claimed its pilots could strike down enemy bombers at night because they ate carrots to improve their night vision.
Carrots contain beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness or other vision problems, which means that correcting the deficiency can reverse certain issues. However, for people whose eyes are already healthy, eating carrots won’t improve their vision — it will simply help them maintain it.
Myth #2: If You Cross Your Eyes, They’ll Get Stuck Like That
Many children are told that if they cross their eyes, they’ll get stuck like that. This myth likely originated as a way to discourage children from making funny faces during inappropriate times; however, it’s not based in truth.
Your eye muscles allow your eyes to move in all directions, including convergently (what happens when you cross your eyes). Voluntarily crossing your eyes won’t result in them getting stuck. There are conditions that can result in crossed eyes, but they have nothing to do with making a silly face every once in a while.
Myth #3: People With Color Blindness See in Black and White
When you imagine what color blindness might be like, you may envision a world that resembles a black-and-white movie. While rare, complete color blindness can occur. However, in the vast majority of cases, people with color blindness can still see at least some color.
The most common form of color blindness is an inability to distinguish between red and green. Blue-yellow color vision deficiency is less common.
Myth #4: Sitting Too Close to the TV Can Harm Your Eyes
As children, many people are told not to sit too close to the TV, as doing so can damage their eyes. In reality, there’s not anything to worry about besides temporary eye strain.
This myth likely stems from a misunderstanding of cause and effect. If your child tends to sit close to the TV or bring screens close to their face, it may indicate that they’re nearsighted and may not be able to clearly see things at farther distances. In this case, nearsightedness is the cause, and sitting close to the TV is the effect.
Myth #5: Reading in the Dark Can Harm Your Eyes
If you stayed up past your bedtime as a kid, nose buried in a book you just couldn’t put down, your parents probably warned you that reading in the dark can damage your eyesight. While it’s true that reading in low light can cause eye strain and headaches, there’s no evidence that it leads to long-term damage.
Still, it’s not a good idea to read in the dark for extended periods of time, as it’s not particularly easy or comfortable. Turn on a lamp the next time a page-turner keeps you up late into the night.
Myth #6: Wearing Glasses with the Wrong Prescription Can Harm Your Eyes
When adults wear glasses with the wrong prescription, they may experience eye strain, blurred vision, fatigue, soreness in the eyes, and trouble concentrating. However, these effects are temporary and aren’t likely to cause any lasting damage.
Children, on the other hand, are more susceptible to harm due to an improper prescription. Because their vision is still developing, wearing glasses with the wrong prescription can worsen astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia. If you suspect your child’s glasses aren’t right for them, it’s important to get an updated prescription as soon as possible.
Trust the Experts at Wolcott Optical
At Wolcott Optical, we’re experts in all things glasses and contacts. If it’s time to upgrade your vision aids, trust our team to provide solutions tailored to your needs. Come visit our store in Salt Lake City, Utah, today!
