There are lots of old wives’ tales out there about eyes, so we thought we would dispel some of them for you.
Myth: Sitting too close to the TV will damage your eyes.
Fact: Parents have been warning children for years about the perils of sitting too close to the TV but there is no evidence to suggest that plonking down in front of the TV causes any damage. However, sitting close to the TV may be a sign of nearsightedness.
Myth: If you cross your eyes, it could stay that way forever.
Fact: Crossing your eyes will not make them stay that way. If your child crosses one eye constantly, it’s important to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist.
Myth: If parents have poor vision, their kids will likely have poor eyesight too.
Fact: Unfortunately, this one is often true. If you wear glasses or have an eye condition, your child may inherit that same trait. You should be vigilant and schedule frequent eye appointments with your eye doctor.
Myth: Eating carrots can improve vision.
Fact: While it's true that carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is essential for sight, there are also lots of other foods (asparagus, apricots, nectarines, and milk, for example) that are rich in this vitamin. Ensuring your child has a well-balanced diet will ensure he is getting enough Vitamin A.
Myth: Computer use can damage the eyes.
Fact: Computer use won't harm the eyes. However, when using a computer for extended periods of time, the eyes blink less than normal which can make the eyes dry. This can lead to a feeling of eye stain or fatigue. It is important to encourage your kids to take frequent breaks from surfing the internet or from playing video games.
Myth: Only boys can be colour-blind.
Fact: Just over 8% of boys have some degree of colour blindness as opposed to only 1% of girls, so it is much more common in boys but not unheard of in girls.
Myth: The eye is full size at birth.
Fact: The eye is in fact not fullly grown at birth and instead grows while your child grows. This is sometimes why your child needs glasses in later life.
Myth: Wearing glasses too much will result in your eyes becoming dependent on them.
Fact: Wearing glasses does not make the eyes get worse. Refractive errors such as myopia often get worse as kids get older. Many factors come into play, but most of these changes are likely down to genetics and continue to develop despite wearing glasses earlier or later or more or less frequently.
