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The eye is such a complex and fascinating part of the human body, that it’s no surprise people have gathered some superstitions and beliefs of their own when it comes to eye care. If someone thinks they’ve unlocked the secret to keeping your eyes healthy, they are going to want to share it with everyone. However, many times these tips for healthy eyes just don’t have any hard science behind them. Your next-door neighbor may have poor eyesight, but that doesn’t mean reading late at night was what caused it. Remember that next time you hear someone endorse one of these eyesight myths.
Myth #1– Reading in low light is damaging to your eyesight.
The Truth– Sometimes you just get lost in a good book and don’t want to put it down until the wee hours of the morning. Don’t worry, though, the dim light you are reading in isn’t hurting your eyes. Reading in low light does cause eye fatigue, which you should try to avoid, but it doesn’t actually damage your eyesight. So go ahead and read that extra chapter if you want to.
Myth #2– Eating carrots will improve your vision.
The Truth– Carrots are full of Vitamin A, an essential vitamin for sight. However, you only need a small amount of Vitamin A for healthy vision. So while there is nothing wrong with eating all the carrots you desire, don’t expect any type of dramatic vision improvement.
Myth #3– Watching TV for too long or sitting too close will harm your eyesight.
The Truth– Parents love to tell this one to their kids to get them outside and away from the TV. And while sitting in front of the TV all day isn’t very healthy in general, there isn’t any evidence to suggest that it damages your eyes. Children always seem to sit too close because their ability to focus on images closer to their eyes is greater than adults. In most cases this is simply something they will grow out of.
Myth #4– There is nothing you can do about your vision deteriorating as you age.
The Truth– Cataracts are the eye ailment most commonly associated with aging, but they aren’t a disease. Instead, they are actually a normal aging process, and they can be removed to fix the problem. For other ailments, a balanced diet and a non-smoking lifestyle can help ease their severity. However, some issues can only be resolved with glasses or LASIK laser eye surgery.
Taking better care of your eyes is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Becoming aware of the steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy is an easy way to start, but make sure you know the difference between the facts and the myths. Remember, correlation does not equal causation. If you would like more information on how to keep your eyesight healthy and strong, check out our Facebook page today!
