{"id":20347,"date":"2021-12-22T14:28:34","date_gmt":"2021-12-22T14:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20347"},"modified":"2021-12-22T14:28:34","modified_gmt":"2021-12-22T14:28:34","slug":"8-eye-health-mythsbusted","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-health\/eyes-the-windows-to-your-health\/8-eye-health-mythsbusted\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Eye Health Myths\u2026Busted!"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many timeless myths around eye health\u2014 but discerning fact from fiction is essential to understanding the path to better eye health.\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 93 million adults in the United States are at high risk for serious vision loss, and 6.8% of children under the age of 18 have a diagnosed vision disorder.<\/p>\n

With so many people experiencing vision issues, it\u2019s no wonder so many myths are floating around about how to protect your eye and vision health.<\/p>\n

Here are 8 most frequent vision and eye health myths…busted!<\/em><\/p>\n

Myth 1: Having 20\/20 vision means your eyes are perfectly healthy.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Fact: A person with \u2018perfect\u2019 20\/20 vision<\/a> has clear central vision, but they can still have a host of eye and vision problems that can impact the health of their eyes.<\/b><\/p>\n

While 20\/20 vision is important, it is nowhere near the whole picture.<\/p>\n

A person can have a potentially dangerous eye disease, such as glaucoma<\/a>, retinal disease<\/a> and corneal conditions<\/a> and still have 20\/20 sight<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Sight loss from these and other serious conditions is often not noticeable until the eye is permanently damaged and vision loss has occurred.<\/p>\n

Having 20\/20 vision also does not ensure the mastery of visual skills<\/a> like convergence and divergence, visual tracking and accommodation. All of these skills and more are necessary for success in work and school.<\/p>\n

A comprehensive eye exam<\/a> with your local eye doctor will check for all necessary vision skills, and test for warning signs of eye disease.<\/p>\n

Myth 2: Eyeglasses and contact lenses weaken the eyes.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Fact: Research shows that optical corrections are essential for clear vision and will not worsen the optical prescription.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Eyeglasses worn to correct refractive errors such as astigmatism<\/a>, presbyopia<\/a>, hyperopia<\/a> (farsightedness) or myopia<\/a> (nearsightedness) do not weaken your eyes.<\/p>\n

You might enjoy the benefits of clear and comfortable vision and use your glasses or contact lenses more often, but they will not weaken the eyes.<\/b><\/p>\n

A person\u2019s eyes change as they get older, and this can result in changes in their vision even if their eyes are perfectly healthy.<\/p>\n

If you do experience a worsening of your vision, see your eye doctor immediately as an eye condition, injury or disease could be the cause requiring medical attention..<\/p>\n

Myth 3 : If you cross your eyes, they may stay that way permanently.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Fact: Permanently crossed eyes do not occur as a result of a person with a healthy ocular system consciously crossing them.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rather, crossed eyes occur as a result of eye conditions such as eye turns (strabismus)<\/a> or lazy eye (amblyopia).\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

If you notice a child with a crossed eye, it may be a result of nerve or muscle damage from injury or disease<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Conversely, strabismus and similar conditions that cause crossed eyes do not go away spontaneously. With assistance from an eye doctor, and often with commitment to a thorough vision therapy<\/a> plan, these conditions can be addressed and, in many cases, completely reversed.<\/p>\n

These issues usually show up in childhood, and are easier to treat the sooner they are detected. This is why it is so important to ensure your child has regular eye exams.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: 15 Actions that Impact Your Eye Health<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

To learn more about how best to take care of your long-term eye health, contact your local eye doctor.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t

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