It’s essential to take care of your eyes for optimal eye health and clear vision. However, there are certain myths that act as a hindrance to practising the best eye care and can cause more harm than good. Let’s debunk some of the most common misconceptions around vision in this eye-opening article and see the truth behind them.
Myth 1: Wearing glasses and contact lenses weakens your eyes
It is widely believed that once you begin wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses, your vision tends to worsen, as your eyes become accustomed to them. However, this is false. Your brain needs clear images and these optical devices provide this by correcting your vision. When you don’t wear glasses or lenses, things seem blurry as your brain is habituated to seeing clear images, not because your eyesight has worsened. Speaking of which, your prescription may change over time, either due to the natural ageing process or the progression of your refractive error.
Myth 2: A 20/20 vision implies your eyes are perfectly healthy
Individuals with emmetropia (perfect 20/20 vision) can still experience other eye problems, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, as these conditions often develop silently and show negligible symptoms. Also, those with excellent central vision may experience imperfect peripheral vision, colour vision or night vision. This is why having clear vision doesn’t always mean healthy eyes and you should get your eyes regularly checked for any underlying eye conditions.
Myth 3: Sitting too close to the TV damages your eyesight
There’s no doubt that watching television from a nearby distance can cause temporary eye strain or a headache. However, this age-old myth has no connection to causing permanent damage to your vision. Children often sit close to the television because they have a better ability to focus on near objects than adults. However, if they consistently do so, it could also be an indicator that they are shortsighted and may need glasses for vision correction.
Myth 4: Reading in dim light causes harm to your eyes
Reading in low light conditions will certainly cause your eyes to work harder, leading to temporary discomfort. However, it doesn’t mean that your eyesight will get worse forever. Your eyes may feel tired, strained or dry, but these effects are reversible. Having said that, adequate lighting makes it easier to read and helps prevent your eyes from getting tired quickly.
Myth 5: Eye exercises can eliminate the need for glasses
This notion is absolutely wrong. Glasses are worn to correct different refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. While eye exercises may help alleviate conditions such as difficulty in focusing or miscoordination of eyes, they will not correct these refractive errors. They can only be corrected with prescription glasses, contact lenses or eye surgery. Feel Good Contacts is a renowned online retailer that stocks contact lenses and glasses from top brands at affordable prices.
It’s important to know the truth behind these common vision myths so that you can take better care of your eyes. It is recommended to get regular eye check-ups, maintain a balanced diet, wear appropriate protective eyewear such as sunglasses and seek optical advice when needed.
