Myths About Eye Health: Which Ones Are True?

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Myths About Eye Health: Which Ones Are True?

We’ve all heard common myths about eye health:

“Eat your carrots; they’ll help you see better!”

“Reading in dim light will ruin your eyesight.”

“If you cross your eyes like that, they’ll get stuck!”

Many of these myths seem silly, but is there any truth to them? What can you really do to protect your eyes? Let’s find out.

Myth #1: Eating carrots will help you see better

Image source:  https://unsplash.com/photos/a-pile-of-carrots-with-green-tops-and-leaves-IZq1FV87qpM 

Reality: This one is partly true, with some context. The beta-carotene in carrots (and other brightly colored fruits and vegetables, like cantaloupe and red bell peppers) is necessary to help keep your eyes healthy. In fact, vitamin A deficiency often causes vision loss, especially night blindness, as a first symptom.

Vitamin A is also one of several nutrients studied in the Age-Related Eye Diseases Studies (AREDS 1 and 2). These studies found that patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) might benefit from supplementing with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

However, while vitamin A can support eye health and may slow the progression of some eye ailments, it will not prevent all vision problems or reverse common issues like myopia or astigmatism. Corrective lenses are still the best solution for these causes of vision loss. 

Myth #2: Reading in dim light will ruin your eyesight

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/girl-reading-book-XqXJJhK-c08 

Reality: Reading in dim light can cause eye strain, which can make your eyes feel dry and tired temporarily, but it won’t cause any permanent damage. 

However, it’s still more difficult than reading under optimal lighting conditions. Low-light conditions make your eyes work harder to focus, and aging only increases the difficulty. Existing vision issues like astigmatism or nearsightedness also make reading in poor light harder. For that reason, we recommend you avoid it whenever possible. 

And if you’re feeling eye strain even while reading in bright light, consider picking up a new pair of reading glasses. Learn more in this informative guide to the best reading glasses.

Myth #3: If you cross your eyes, they’ll get stuck that way!

If one of your parents or teachers told you this as a kid, you’re not alone. But is there any truth to it?

The answer is no, your eyes will not get stuck if you cross them. People can develop a condition called strabismus, where the eyes become crossed, but it is not caused by intentionally crossing the eyes. The most common causes include eye injury or trauma, neurological conditions, severe farsightedness, and untreated childhood conditions.

Myth #4: Stop rubbing your eyes; it’s bad for your eyesight

Reality: This one has some truth to it. Most of us rub our eyes from time to time, and doing so occasionally is unlikely to cause any harm. But frequent rubbing can increase the risk of several eye health issues, including:

Keratoconus

This is a condition that occurs when the cornea becomes too thin, eventually stretching into a conical shape. As a result, you could suffer distorted vision and possibly need a corneal graft to preserve your eyesight. Keratoconus often runs in families and likely has a strong genetic component, but persistent rubbing can cause additional risk for those who already have a genetic vulnerability.

In addition, rubbing too frequently or forcefully can also sometimes injure the fragile cornea.

Introducing infection 

Your hands pick up various germs through normal activities, and when you touch your face, you can transfer some of these germs. The same is true of touching your eyes, and it’s not just cold and flu germs you need to worry about. Bacteria can also get into the eyes, triggering an infection like conjunctivitis.

Worsening existing eye conditions

Are you nearsighted? Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common condition in which an elongated eyeball makes it difficult to see objects that are farther away. Fortunately, corrective lenses can help you see more clearly, but rubbing your eyes can make myopia progress faster. Frequent rubbing can also make glaucoma worse by increasing eye pressure, which is already elevated with this condition.

For all these reasons, it’s best to avoid rubbing your eyes as much as possible. If you can’t resist, be as gentle as possible to avoid causing damage.

Then what am I supposed to do when my eyes itch or feel dry?

If your eyes are often itchy or dry, you should see a doctor to determine the cause. Here are some common conditions that you may be able to treat:

Allergies

This is one of the most common reasons that people rub their eyes. Your doctor should be able to recommend an allergy medication, eye drops, or another treatment to reduce the itching. They may also suggest allergy testing so you can identify and avoid common triggers like dust, pollen, or pet dander.

Contact lens issues

In some situations, contacts can cause itching and irritation. Sensitivity to a specific lens or contact solution can cause itching, and trying a different type of contact lens might solve the problem. 

Some people also suffer itching from protein buildup on the lenses, especially if they wear the lenses too long or don’t clean them properly. Always carefully follow your doctor’s instructions for cleaning your contacts. Or, consider using disposable contact lenses instead.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Many people occasionally experience dry eyes, especially after too much screen time. But dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes are chronically dry due to reduced tear production. It’s often triggered by medications or hormonal changes, and there are treatments available to help conserve tears or improve production. So if you find yourself rubbing at dry eyes repeatedly, it may be time to see your doctor.

Eye infections

Eye infections often cause red, itchy, swollen eyes. They’re usually easy to treat with antibiotics, but if left untreated, infections can damage the eye, so see your physician right away if you experience symptoms.

What Else Can You Do to Protect Your Eye Health?

Not all vision problems can be avoided, but you can reduce your risk by following these tips:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Especially brightly-colored ones that are rich in Vitamin A and other nutrients needed for eye health.
• Don’t smoke. In addition to many other health problems, smoking increases the risk of macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, and cataracts
• Wear those sunglasses! Sunglasses with UV-blocking properties help protect your eyes from damage that can contribute to several age-related eye conditions, including cataracts and macular degeneration. Make sure to shop at reputable retailers that offer a range of sunglasses with UV400 protection. For instance, online eyewear retailer EZContacts offers numerous sunglasses that block harmful UVA and UVB rays.
• Use the 20-20-20 rule to avoid eye strain when looking at screens. Let’s face it, most of us spend more time staring at screens than we should. You can reduce the strain on your eyes by looking at something twenty feet away for twenty seconds every twenty minutes. 
• Do your best to treat chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, as they can increase the risk of vision decline.
• Remember to get regular eye exams. Don’t assume your prescription is the same as it was last year. Regular exams allow your doctor to update your prescription as needed and treat any new conditions.