By Dr. Michael Parolini, Optometrist at the SMSC Vision Clinic
There are many myths surrounding vision and eye health. Understanding fact from fiction can lead to a lifetime of great vision and healthy eyes! Read about some of the common myths below and view the facts that correct them.
Myth #1: Eating carrots will improve my vision.
Fact: Carrots contain vitamin A, an essential vitamin for visual processing. Eating a lot of carrots, however, will not impact your clarity of vision or your eyeglass prescription. Additionally, vitamin A is necessary in only very small amounts and can be obtained through other food sources (e.g., spinach, fish, and dairy) or from supplementation.
Myth #2: Sitting too close to the TV will damage my eyes.
Fact: While sitting close to the TV can cause eye strain or fatigue, it will not cause physical damage to your eyes. Sitting up close will also not cause refractive error (eyeglass prescription) to develop. There are muscles in the eye that control your focusing system and these muscles need to work extra hard when focusing on a near object. Prolonged use of these muscles can lead to eye strain, fatigue, or headaches but will not cause physical damage to your eyes.
Myth #3: Wearing glasses or contact lenses will make your eyes dependent on them.
Fact: Using glasses or contact lenses will not make your eyes dependent on the correction. Eyeglass prescriptions typically come from an imbalance in the focusing power of the eye and the shape of the eye. Glasses and contact lenses bend or refract light to help offset that balance. What people will often perceive as becoming dependent is just the fact that they enjoy the benefits of clear and comfortable vision that glasses or contact lenses provide.
Myth #4: Reading in the dark will harm my eyes.
Fact: While it may cause more eye strain or fatigue, reading in dim light does not cause damage to the eyes. Prior to the advent of electricity, people would use candles or moonlight for reading. “More light, more sight” is a common saying in the eye care world. However, reading in dim light will not cause damage to your eyes.
Myth #5: My vision is perfect, so I don’t need an eye exam.
Fact: Excellent clarity of vision and healthy eyes do not always go hand in hand. Just because a person has 20/20 vision doesn’t mean they don’t have an eye disease. Many individuals with an eye disease like glaucoma or macular degeneration can still have 20/20 vision. Sight loss from these conditions often goes unnoticed until permanent, debilitating damage has occurred. Having 20/20 vision also does not guarantee good eye movements, tracking skills, depth perception, or accommodation.
A comprehensive eye exam will assess not only clarity of vision, but also your ocular and systemic health. Did you know that an eye exam can identify early warning signs and manifestations of more than 270 systemic and chronic diseases?
Want to see clearly and ensure your eyes are healthy for years to come? Schedule your comprehensive eye exam with the SMSC Vision Clinic by calling 952.233.2978 today!
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