Vision Facts and Myths
FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT EYES
Fact:
Although parents have said this since TVs first found their way into our homes, there is no evidence of plunking down right before the tv receiver damages someone’s eyes. The study says that youngsters can focus up close without eyestrain better than adults, so they often develop the habit of sitting right before the tv or holding reading close to their eyes.
However, sitting near a TV could also be a symbol of nearsightedness.
Fact:
Contrary to the old saying, eyes won’t stay that way if you cross them. If your child is crossing one eye
constantly schedule an evaluation by an ophthalmologist.
Fact:
Children aren’t ready to outgrow strabismus (the medical term for crossed eyes) on their own, but, with help, it is often more easily corrected at a younger age. That’s why your child needs to possess an eye fixed exam early, first when your child is an infant, then again by age two.
Fact:
Unfortunately, this one is usually true. If you want glasses for good vision or have developed an eye-fixed condition (such as cataracts), your kids might inherit that same trait. Discuss your family’s visual history together with your doctor.
Fact:
Although carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is important for sight, so are many other foods.
(asparagus, apricots, nectarines, and milk, for example). A well-balanced diet can provide the vitamin A needed for good vision, says study.
Fact:
According to the study, computer use won’t harm the eyes. However, when employing a computer for long periods of your time, the eyes blink but normal (like they are doing when reading or performing other close work). This makes the eyes dry, which can cause a sense of eyestrain or fatigue.
So encourage your kids to take frequent Internet surfing or video game breaks.
Fact:
Two blue-eyed parents can have a baby with brown eyes, although it’s rare. Likewise, two brown-eyed parents can have a baby with blue eyes, which is often uncommon.
Fact:
It’s estimated that up to 8% of boys have a point of color blindness, whereas 1% of women do.
Fact:
The eye isn’t full size at birth but continues to grow together with your child. This growth partially accounts for
refractive (glasses) changes that occur during childhood.
Fact:
Refractive errors (nearsightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism) change as kids age. Many variables come into play, but most of this variation is probably due to genetics and continues despite wearing glasses earlier or later or more or less. Wearing glasses doesn’t make the eyes worsen.
Fact :
As with sitting too near to the tv, you’ll feel eyestrain or get a headache from reading in the dark,
but it’ll not weaken your eyes.
Fact:
You ought to see your doctor at the very first sign of symptoms like blurred vision, eye pain, flashes of sunshine, or sudden onset of floaters
in your vision. If detected early enough, looking at the cause, some treatments will correct, stop, or a minimum, prevent the loss of vision.
Fact:
It has been thought that employing a nightlight in your child’s bedroom may contribute to nearsightedness. However, there’s not enough evidence to support this claim. Keeping a nightlight on in your baby’s room may very well help them learn to focus and develop important eye coordination skills once they are awake.
Fact:
Looking at the sun might not only cause a headache and warp your vision temporarily, but it also can cause permanent damage to your retina — the rear of your eye. Any exposure to sunlight adds to the cumulative effects of ultraviolet light on your eyes. UV exposure has been linked to eye disorders like macular degeneration, solar retinitis, cataracts, pterygia, and corneal dystrophies.
The most dangerous time for sun gazing is midday and through an eclipse. The sun’s brightness is hidden, but the damaging invisible rays that permanently burn your eyes aren’t reduced.
Fact:
Other factors will also make your eyes more sensitive to light. If you employ artificial sweeteners, like cyclamates, your eyes could also be more sensitive to light. They include antibiotics, oral contraceptives, high blood pressure drugs, diuretics, and diabetic medications.
Fact:
This statement has some truth in it for a few people. Some children have eye problems that will be corrected and must wear their glasses. But vision problems caused by heredity or physical injury don’t get away, even with glasses. While corrective glasses or contacts are needed to enhance eyesight, using your eyes with or without glasses won’t damage your vision further.