Five Common Myths About Your Vision and Eye Health
When it comes to vision and eye health, there are some beliefs that become commonly accepted within the public zeitgeist. As you take strides to take care of your eyes, it is important to be aware of what is fact and what is fiction.
1. Carrots
Carrots are often perceived as the only food that really matters for improving vision. A carrot carries Vitamin A, which is essential for eye health. However, it is not the only source of Vitamin A that one can consume. This nutrient can be found within cheese, egg yolk, liver, and milk. Carotenoids, which can improve eye health, also exist within such vegetables as kale, spinach, and pepper that come in red, orange, or yellow. So while carrots can benefit one’s vision, they are not the only way to go. If your diet already consists of much of these other foods, then you may not even need to include carrots.
2. Contacts and Glasses
Another myth is that wearing contacts or glasses can make one’s eyesight weaker. According to this belief, the eyes would become so dependent on these that one’s vision would just decrease in effectiveness. However, this is not the case. If one’s vision decreases while they wear either of these, it would be due to other factors such as aging. The contacts and glasses themselves are not the problem. With this in mind, one should not worry so much about contacts and glasses impacting them negatively. They might be necessary for seeing everything better. When your vision is lacking, use what you can.
3. The Need for Eye Exams
Some believe that eye exams are only necessary for those who experience vision problems. The truth is that eye exams are for everyone. They would be useful for identifying symptoms before they become a problem for the eyes. As a general rule of thumb, it is suggested that one visits an ophthalmologist every two years to see whether anything has changed. These experts would be able to tell you what is going on with your eye health. Be sure to get your eyes checked so that you know what you are doing right or wrong in your everyday life. It is important to promote eye health for everyone.
4. Reading with Less Light
There is also a persisting belief that reading in dim light, or even in the dark, can damage one’s eyes. The truth is that, at worst, it may cause eye strain or a headache. As one grows older, they may find that it is more difficult to read with less light. However, that is simply due to aging. Generally, a child would naturally have less difficulty reading with less light than a middle-aged adult would. The act of reading in the dark itself is not what is causing it to become more difficult to read as the years go by.
5. Screens
Some believe that being in front of a TV or a computer for an extended period of time can cause eye damage. While this is not the case, these situations can lead to fatigue, causing headaches, brow pain, and even lower back pain if the viewer ends up slouching. An effective way to avoid these is by taking breaks to stretch and look away from the screen for a little bit. Some may feel that they need to be very close to the screen, and that may be due to them being nearsighted and needing glasses.
Schedule an Appointment
Now that you are aware of the persisting myths pertaining to vision and eye health, you should have a clearer understanding of what you may need to do to improve your eyesight. For good measure, seeing an optometrist can be very beneficial. At EyeLux Optometry, a professional would be able to see whether you have any existing eye conditions and whether anything needs to be done about them. So at your earliest convenience, be sure to schedule an appointment so that you may have peace of mind. Maintaining your vision with care would help you with your everyday life.
