Have you ever wondered if eating more carrots improves your eyesight? Some myths have also stated eating carrots can improve your eyesight, but if you eat too many your skin will turn orange! This can make you wonder what actually is improving your eyesight or potentially damaging it. Here is a list of myths about what the world says is damaging your eyes:
Myth 1: Reading in dim light can hurt your eyes.
Before electricity, our ancestors would read at night by dim candlelight or gaslight. People had to read at night somehow and they lived to tell the tale! Reading in dim light can strain your eyes, but it will not permanently damage them. Therefore, reading in dim light will not harm your eyes more than it did our ancestors.
Myth 2: Using your eyes too much will “wear them out.”
This is one of the most common myths people worry about. People believe reading too much and for long periods of time will damage your eyes. Smelling or tasting too much will not wear those senses out, therefore you will not wear your eyes out. You do not lose your hearing when using your ears too much. Your eyes were made for the intended purpose to see. Therefore, using your eyes will not wear them out, and there is no such thing as overusing your eyes.
Myth 3: Wearing glasses with the wrong prescription will damage your eyes.
While wearing glasses with the wrong or too strong of a prescription could give you a headache, they will not permanently damage your eyes. Prescription lenses change the light rays that enter through the lenses. When the prescription is too strong or not strong enough, that can fail to correct your vision and make you feel uncomfortable. However, it will not damage your eyes.
Myth 4: Wearing glasses will weaken your eyes.
Glasses are worn to improve your eyesight. This includes nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia. Lenses will not weaken your eyesight more than they will improve it. Glasses are created to improve your eyesight, therefore they would not weaken your eyesight.
Myth 5: Crossing your eyes will make them permanently stuck.
Your muscles are made to move your eye up, down, and all around. Because your muscles are made to do this, they should not become permanently stuck in any position. Crossed eyes are a result of a disease, uncorrected error, or muscle/nerve damage.
Myth 6: Having 20/20 vision means your eyesight is perfect.
There are many other factors to consider about your eyes even if you have 20/20 vision. People could have 20/20 vision but be color blind or suffer from night blindness which would make their vision imperfect. There are diseases that result in eye blindness that does not occur until later one in life such as glaucoma.
Myth 7: Eye exams are only necessary if you are having problems with your eyes.
Just like going to the doctor annually, eye exams are important. Children should have their eyes tested six months after their birth, before they begin school, and periodically every couple of years while they are in school. Adults should have their eyes checked about every two years, and if you have an eye disease you should have your eyes checked annually.
Myth 8: There is nothing you can do to prevent vision loss.
Almost 90% of eye injuries could have been prevented. This is caused by people not wearing protective eyewear all of the time and correctly depending on what job is being done. Regular eye exams will also help with preventing vision loss from any potential eye diseases.
Myth 9: Watching TV for too long or being too close to the TV will damage your eyes.
Many children sit closer to the TV or hold books closer to their faces because they are able to focus better when objects are closer to their faces. Adults are able to focus on things when they are further away. Therefore, there is no evidence that sitting close to the TV will damage your eyes. However, if children grow up and these habits are not changing, this is a sign they could be nearsighted. They would need an eye exam to confirm that.
Fact: Carrots and Eye Health
Carrots are full of antioxidants. They contain beta carotene and lutein which help prevent eye damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds that can lead to cellular damage, aging, and chronic illnesses. This includes eye diseases. Beta carotene is a great source of vitamin A. A vitamin A deficiency can result in night blindness which can be reversed by intaking more vitamin A. Yellow carrots contain lutein. Lutein helps prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is a condition in which your vision becomes gradually blurry or lost.
How We Can Help!
At Medical Arts and Eyes, we want to make sure your eyes are in the best condition possible. If you need glasses we will be able to make sure you get the right prescription, so you are not feeling uncomfortable in your new lenses. If you have any concerns with your eyes we will be able to check out any of your concerns. Contact us today to book your next appointment!