Common eye myths
“Don’t cross your eyes or they’ll get stuck like that,” “Eat your carrots they’ll improve your eyesight,” “Wearing the wrong contact prescription is bad for your eyes!” If you’re familiar with one or all these myths, you’ve come to the right place. With the help of ophthalmologist, Saya Nagori, MD, we’re cracking those eye myths (plus a few more) and teaching you the facts.
Is reading in the dark bad for your eyes?
No. Reading in the dark isn’t bad for your eyes. This means it’s unlikely to cause any permanent visual damage. It can cause eye strain which will usually be relieved by using good lighting while you’re reading or performing focused visual tasks. Constant visual strain can also cause headaches as well as cause your eyes to tire out quickly, and so, when possible, avoid reading in the dark or in poorly lit areas.
Is crossing your eyes bad?
No. Crossing your eyes intentionally isn’t bad for your eyes. Just as looking down or up or right or left for a prolonged period of time won’t damage your eyes, crossing them intentionally won’t make them “get stuck” that way or cause permanent damage. If you or a family member notice that your eyes aren’t properly aligned or seem to be crossed, this could be a sign of a much more serious medical problem. If you feel that your eyes aren’t aligned, or you experience double vision (a sign of ocular misalignment) you should seek medical care from an ophthalmologist as this could be a sign of damage to your eye muscles or eye nerves.
Does eating carrots improve eyesight?
No. Eating carrots won’t improve eyesight. Many people ask about this because carrots have a high amount of Vitamin A. Eating sources of Vitamin A is important, but it won’t make your vision better. This nutrient is needed for the body to maintain healthy eyesight, but large amounts of it won’t help you get rid of your glasses. Additionally, there are many sources of vitamin A outside of carrots, such as spinach and certain dairy products. It is important to have the right amount of Vitamin A. In fact, too much, or excess Vitamin A can actually be harmful to the body. There are only some uncommon situations where a doctor would want you to supplement with Vitamin A. One of these examples is in a disease called retinitis pigmentosa where Vitamin A is part of the treatment plan. In the absence of a special case scenario, ingesting the daily recommended value of Vitamin A is recommended for good eye health - not too much, not too little, it should be just right.
Does wearing glasses make you dependent on them?
No. Wearing glasses won’t make you dependent on them or cause your vision to get worse. If you are constantly straining to read something because you aren’t wearing your recommended prescription, this could lead to eye strain and eye fatigue. In fact, in young children who need glasses, avoiding visual correction could lead to permanent visual consequences called amblyopia. While amblyopia doesn’t develop in adults, it’s a good idea to wear glasses if you have a medical need for them to avoid eye strain.
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Does wearing the wrong prescription damage your eyes?
No. Wearing the wrong prescription doesn’t damage eyes. Just like reading in dim light, wearing the wrong prescription can cause a headache, eye strain, or blurry vision. If you’re experiencing these symptoms and the symptoms resolve after taking your contacts out, then it’s likely that the glasses prescription may be the culprit. Be sure to contact your eye doctor to have them recheck your prescription and evaluate your eyes if you notice blurry vision that is associated with glasses or contact lens use.
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