Overview
There are hundreds of myths that surround the field of vision and eye care.
In this article, we will briefly cover the common myths that people believe when it comes to eye care.
MYTH 1: You need to eat carrot to improve your eyesight
Of course, we had to start with the most common myth of all. In reality, carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is an important element for photoreceptors. However, carrots are not the only source of this vitamin. In fact, eating a balanced diet means you will get all the vitamin A you need, regardless of whether you consume carrots or not. Also, it depends on what eye condition and the extent of the disease progression.
MYTH 2: It's okay to swim with contact lenses once in a blue moon
While swimming with your contact lenses may seem tempting, it may cause serious infections in your eye. This is because the pool and the beach are a hub for all sorts of germs, contaminants and/or chemicals that will get absorbed or sheltered in your contact lenses, triggering serious bacterial infections or irritability. Some may say, "Been there, done that. Nothing happened". I would say better be safe than sorry. Luck might not be on our side all the time.
MYTH: 3. Dark sunglasses will shield your eyes from the damage of the sun
This myth is partially correct, depending on the type of lenses your sunglasses are made of. People often believe that the darker shades protect their eyes from the sun. However, and while these sunglasses make it easier to see, the harmful UV lights emitted by the sun will travel through the glasses into your eyes. Instead, when you are buying sunglasses, make sure that they come with the material that reflects the harmful UV rays.
MYTH 4. All Blue Light is Bad for You
Staring at a computer for an extended period can lead to digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. Symptoms include red, dry or sore eyes, headaches or blurred vision. Blue light linked to electronic devices has gotten a bad reputation for being unhealthy and causing damage to our eyes. However, certain types of blue light are positive and healthy for our bodies. Scientists have determined that people that suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of seasonal depression, experience improved sleep patterns when they are exposed to large doses of blue light during the daytime or artificially at one time.
MYTH 5: Sitting too close to the TV is bad
Parents may panic when they see their child sitting too close to the TV. Fortunately, researchers found that this habit does not usually cause any permanent damage to the child’s eyesight. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says that kids can actually focus up close without eyestrain better than adults, so they often develop the habit of sitting right in front of the television or holding reading material close to their eyes. However, sitting close to a TV may be a sign of nearsightedness. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to teach them that watching TV from a safe distance is a good habit.
Takeaway message
Eyecare is a hot topic for myths that have no scientific basis. The reasons behind the popularity of these myths are diverse and include financial profit, folklore stories, and misunderstanding the anatomy and physiology of the eye. We hope that this article managed to shed some light on the common misconceptions that the public has around eye care.
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