In addition to accomplishing everyday tasks like driving
and reading, good vision also means enjoying the beauty in your surroundings.
Therefore, you should take care of your eyes accordingly.
Due to so much eye care information available through
family, friends, doctors, and the internet, you can have difficulty telling what's
true and what's not.
The following are some common eye-health myths to help
clear up any confusion you might have.
Eating Carrots Can Improve Your Eyesight
While carrots contain vitamin A, essential for good vision,
carrots won't reverse your eye problems. Moreover, you need a well-balanced
diet for your overall and eye health.
Carrots are rich in vitamin A, but the body only needs a
small amount for vision. Too little vitamin A can cause night
blindness, but too much of it won't make your vision any better.
Besides carrots, you need leafy vegetables and fresh fruits
with vitamin C and E for better eye health. Furthermore, vitamin A is
fat-soluble, and the body absorbs it better with fatty foods.
Watching Screens Too Close Can Damage Your Eyes
Contrary to popular belief, sitting close to a screen is
not a cause of nearsightedness, but rather an effect of the disorder.
Smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs emit blue light.
In today's world, parents and adults are increasingly concerned about the
effect of screen light on eyesight. Nevertheless, watching TV from a close
range isn't an issue for eyesight but may result in headaches and temporary eye
strain.
Electronic devices emit blue light of wavelengths between 400 to 490 nanometers, which results
in discomfort. You can clear the discomfort by sleeping or taking breaks while
using a computer or blue-light-emitting device.
Reading In Dim Light Can Damage Your Eyes
The best light to read under is natural light. While
low-light reading is not damaging to your eyes, it can cause eye strain and dry
eyes.
Reading in the dark strains your eyes and causes them to
tire faster than they usually would. Tired eyes can, in turn, lead to
headaches, blurred vision, and itchy eyes.
Reading in dim light is uncomfortable, but no scientific
evidence exists on the long-term effects on your eyes. You can use
over-the-counter lubricating drops if you suffer from dry eyes due to reading
in dim light.
An Eye Exam Is Only Necessary If You Have Problems
Optometrists recommend an eye exam for people with vision
problems as well as those with perfect vision. During an eye exam, your
optometrist will test:
- Visual acuity: A test of
how clear your vision is.
- Eye alignment: A test of
your eyes when in focus.
- Eye movement: A test to
determine if your eyes move correctly.
- Color blindness: A test
to determine if you can identify colors correctly.
- Stereopsis test: A test
of your eyes' depth perception.
An eye doctor can identify a problem early and recommend
treatment options. Otherwise, some eye conditions are asymptomatic and are
impossible to detect.
You Can Improve Your Eyesight With Eye Exercise
Promoters of the self-directed eye exercise narrative claim
to reduce your need for glasses and contacts.
Eye exercises can indeed strengthen your eye muscles and
make them more effective but will do nothing to improve your vision.
Your eye doctor prescribes glasses and contacts based on
pupil size, eye shape, or ability to shift focus. On the other hand,
self-directed eye exercises point to no randomized trials and do not square
with the anatomy and physiology of vision.
Until evidence-based research emerges, no eye exercises
should make you abandon your glasses or eye surgery.
You can protect your eyes and vision by learning the facts
about eye care. Furthermore, you'll have the right questions when seeing an eye
health specialist. Please contact us
at Calvert
Ophthalmology Center to schedule an appointment with a reputable
ophthalmologist for eye exams or other eye care needs.
