We’ve all heard many myths regarding our eyesight and vision over the years- but what is fiction and what is fact? We did some digging and found 10 common myths about eyes that simply aren’t true (even if they sound plausible):
CARROTS IMPROVE YOUR VISION
The myth about carrots improving your eyesight goes as far back as World War II. Although some research has shown that carotenoids (a vitamin in carrots) may help some with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in preventing blindness; overall, carrots don’t contain anything that could improve vision.
READING IN THE DARK RUINS YOUR EYES
Just like any muscle pushed to its limit, reading in the dark will cause strain on the eyes. The effects of this strain may include headaches, itchy eyes, and increased sensitivity to light; but it does not cause lasting damage.
WATCHING TV CLOSELY WILL GIVE YOU “SQUARE EYES”
Much like how people hold a book close to their faces to read, people sit close to the TV and watch. It isn’t a habit that will decrease your vision, although it’s the popular notion that it will give you square eyes; rather it will cause strain and blurred vision, both of which are temporary.
IF YOU CROSS YOUR EYES THEY’LL STAY THAT WAY
The eyes are primarily controlled by 6 muscles that allow the eyes to move around. Crossing your eyes is just telling your muscles to push inwards; this like other types of pressures exerted on muscles simply causes strain nothing more. There’s no medical evidence that proves your eyes will permanently stay that way.
EYEBALLS CAN BE TRANSPLANTED
Contrary to sci-fi films like The Minority Report, transplanting a whole human eye is not possible. When people say that they had an eye transplant, that usually means that a procedure was done on their cornea. There are way too many nerves connected to the eyeball to surgically transplant it.
STARING AT THE SUNS WON’T HARM YOUR EYES
There is no doubt that sunlight is essential for the health of our eyes, providing us with the essential vitamin D; but staring at the sun will definitely cause permanent damage to your vision. Damage can occur in little as seconds, destroying the photoreceptors in the retina.
20/20 VISION MEANS PERFECT VISION
People often like to flaunt the fact that they have 20/20 vision, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have perfect vision.
20/20 is just an acuity test, which is only one aspect of vision. In order to have perfect vision, your eyes must pass other tests like: peripheral awareness, eye coordination, depth perception, ability to focus, and color vision.
SNEEZING WITH YOUR EYES OPEN WILL MAKE THEM FALL OUT
When you sneeze, it’s an autonomic reflex to close your eyes; but people also believe that you must close your eyes while sneezing otherwise your eyes will fall out. This is an age old myth which is false. The pressure from sneezing will not make your eyes fall out. Eyes open or closed, you can sneeze however you want.
DOING EYE EXERCISES WILL IMPROVE YOUR VISION
Eye exercises exist but is that enough reason to believe that they are effective?
Although you would hope that they could improve your vision, eye exercises are ineffective. They will not eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or other factors that require you to wear corrective lenses.
WEARING SOMEONE ELSE’S GLASS WILL DESTROY YOUR VISION
Wearing someone else’s prescription glasses may seem like it could permanently do a number on your eyes; but the pain that you feel while wearing them isn’t your eyes getting weaker. Wearing incorrect lenses causes eye strain and headaches, but nothing more than that.
