10 common myths about your eyes
Eye health is an important aspect of our overall wellbeing, ensuring you have the right facts is vital to maintaining good eye care. Following the wrong advice or propagating misinformation can lead to problems for your own eye health and for that of loved ones. With that in mind, we bust 10 prevalent myths about your eyes and vision.
1. Reading in low light conditions will damage your eyes
While it is easier for eyes to focus in lighter conditions, there is no evidence that reading in poor light causes long-term damage. It may cause strain and discomfort in the short term, but your eyes can relax and recover as soon as they’re closed.
2. Carrots will improve your vision
Carrots are high in Vitamin A which is essential for good vision. Eating carrots can support good eyesight but they won’t deliver 20/20 vision, improve your prescription over time or help you see better in the dark. They simply form part of a well-balanced and conscious diet.
3. Children can develop learning difficulties with eye problems
Learning difficulties are commonly caused by complications in brain function and processes. While not being able to see the classroom whiteboard or read the words written there can be an impact on learning progress, it won’t directly cause a learning difficulty. If you notice your child struggling, book an eye examination at your local optical shop.
4. Vision can be improved with regular eye exercises
Eye exercises can strengthen necessary muscles and reduce strain over time. However, there is no credible scientific evidence to suggest that regular eye exercises will improve vision or reduce your dependency on eyewear.
5. Colour blindness only impacts boys
Research shows that 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women experience colour blindness. While the stats are more heavily weighted for males, women can both inherit and develop colour blindness in their lifetimes.
6. Sitting too close to a screen will damage your eyesight
Staring at a screen up close and for an extended period of time won’t damage your eyes, but it can contribute to strain, fatigue and dryness. We recommend taking a break to rest your eyes every 20 minutes and blinking regularly to maintain lubrication.
7. You’ll become dependent on glasses if you wear them too much
Prescription glasses allow us to see the world more clearly, and there’s no risk of wearing them ‘too much’. Indeed, wearing them regularly will prevent premature deterioration of vision and related irritations, including strain and discomfort.
8. You will inevitably lose vision as you age
Some eye conditions are directly linked to ageing, including cataracts and glaucoma. However, they don’t affect everyone; some older people maintain clear, crisp vision with or without treatment.
9. Cataracts need to reach a certain maturity to be removed
With modern technology and techniques, cataracts can be removed when they cause issues with your sight. For example, most optical physicians will recommend removing them as soon as the cloudiness impacts reading or driving.
10. The wrong prescription will damage your eyesight
Poor prescriptions will impact your vision and cause discomfort, but they won’t directly damage your sight. An annual eye examination will ensure you’re caring for your vision appropriately and taking steps to slow down the progression of any common problems.
Here at The Eye Establishment optician in London, our fully qualified opticians are on hand to quash any myths and ensure your vision is clear with comprehensive sight and eye health checks. If you’re looking for the best optical services in Kensington, visit us today.