6 Most Common Eye & Vision Myths

There are a lot of myths surrounding our eyesight. From old wives’ tales, simple misconceptions, and even wartime secrecy, we thought we’d dispel some of the most common eye and vision myths.

Reading in Low Light Will Damage Your Eyes

You might have heard this from one (or both of your parents) when reading in a dark room as a child. Maybe you prefer to read in the dark or simply continually forget to turn that overhead light on. Whatever the case, we can assure you that reading or working in low light does not cause damage to your eyes. It will, however, cause eye fatigue, which is short-term.

Not Wearing Glasses Will Further Degrade Vision

There are a few outlying exceptions, but in a general sense, not wearing your prescription lenses does not affect the quality of your vision. While someone might nag at you to put your glasses on, remember that not wearing your glasses all the time should have zero impact on your vision.

Vision Loss is Inevitable

While it’s true that degenerative vision is normal as you age, do not discount the power of regular vision exams to minimize your vision loss. Beyond that, don’t forget to practice eye safety while working or even doing yard work. While a slight loss of vision is inevitable, you can protect much of your vision through due diligence.

Carrots Improve Your Eyesight

This one is a doozy! There is a pervasive myth that the large amounts of Vitamin A in carrots will enhance your vision, specifically your ability to see at night. You might be surprised to learn that this myth largely came from the invention of radar by the British in World War 2. They spread the myth that a diet high in Vitamin A (aka carrots) allowed their soldiers to see exceptionally well at night when, in fact, they were using their secret and newly invented radar!

Eye Exams Are Only Necessary if You Encounter Eye Problems

By all means, if you notice a change in your vision, then please schedule an eye exam as soon as you can. However, many eye diseases and vision problems start slowly and are undetectable until they grow into larger problems. Regular eye exams are a proactive measure to detect eye problems well before they impact your life.

Sitting Too Close to the TV Will Damage Your Eyes

We correct our children enough as it is. Believe it or not, the distance in which they sit in front of the television has no impact on their vision. Children prefer to be close to the television because they like to see the detail of what they are looking at—their brains absorb much more sensory information than adults, so they have a predilection to get up close and personal with the source.

Are you interested in an eye exam? Whether you notice a change in your vision or not, we recommend annual exams for all our patients. Reach out to us today!