Chances are, you’ve probably heard one of the eye care myths on this list, or all of them, at least once. It’s easy to believe these myths, because they seem like they could be true. However, it is important to be aware that these are myths, and not actually true. We thought it would be helpful to debunk 5 of the most common eye care myths for our patients and community here at the Optical Shop.
1) Eating carrots improves your eyesight
FALSE: This is probably one of the most common eye care myths out there! Carrots are a great source of Vitamin A, which is a vitamin that helps maintain good vision. However, carrots are not the only source of Vitamin A, nor will they improve poor eyesight or reduce your need for glasses if you eat them often.
2) Looking at screens for a long time will damage your vision
FALSE: Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time can make your eyes feel tired, but don’t worry, you are not doing any permanent damage. When you read on phones, tablets, and computer screens, you usually blink less often, which means your eyes get dry and feel strained. To reduce eye strain, just take some occasional breaks from the screen.
3) If a child sits close to the TV screen, it’s bad for their eyesight
FALSE: Although seeing your child sit close to the TV might be uncomfortable for you to see as their parent, rest assured that doing so won’t cause any permanent damage to their eyesight.
4) If you cross your eyes, they’ll get stuck that way
FALSE: This myth is funny, and probably one you heard from Grandma growing up, but not at all true. The muscles of the eye allow them to move in all directions, and looking in one direction won’t cause them to get stuck in that place.
4) Sunglasses always protect your eyes from the sun
FALSE (but also can be true): The protection offered by your sunglasses depends on the type of lenses you have. While dark shades make it easier to see in bright light, these lenses are actually more harmful than wearing nothing at all because they make your pupils dilate. At the Optical Shop, all the sunwear we sell contains 100% UV protection, at no added cost since we feel it is so important! We also highly encourage you to consider getting blue light coating and anti reflective coatings on your lenses for added protection.
Contact the Optical Shop at Westport at (203) 222-7870 or OpticalShopofWestport@gmail.com to learn more about proper eye care or to make an appointment.