Myth #1: Reading in Dim Light Damages Your Eyes
One of the most common myths we hear from patients at our Arden practice is that reading in poor lighting will permanently damage your eyesight. Parents often warn children about this supposed danger, but is there any truth to it?
The Reality: Reading in dim light does not cause permanent damage to your eyes. Your eyes are remarkably adaptable organs that can function across a wide range of lighting conditions. However, there is a kernel of truth behind this myth—inadequate lighting can cause temporary eye strain, which may lead to:
- Fatigue
- Dryness
- Difficulty focusing
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
These symptoms, while uncomfortable, are temporary and will resolve once you rest your eyes or improve your lighting conditions. For optimal reading comfort, we recommend using a light source positioned behind you that illuminates your reading material without creating glare.
Myth #2: Using Computers Causes Permanent Eye Damage
As digital device use has increased dramatically over the past decades, so has concern about their effect on our vision health. Many people worry that hours spent looking at screens will lead to permanent vision problems.
The Reality: Current scientific research does not support the idea that digital screens emit radiation that causes permanent damage to your eyes. However, extended screen time can certainly contribute to digital eye strain or Computer Vision Syndrome, characterized by:
- Eye fatigue and discomfort
- Dry eyes
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Neck and shoulder pain
Read our blog post about headaches and vision.
These symptoms are typically temporary and related to how we use our devices rather than harm from the screens themselves. To reduce digital eye strain, we recommend:
- Following the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds
- Positioning your screen about arm's length away and slightly below eye level
- Using appropriate lighting to reduce glare
- Blinking regularly to maintain eye moisture
- Using artificial tears if needed for dryness
- Considering computer glasses with blue light filtering if you spend significant time on devices
During your comprehensive eye exam at Asheville Vision and Wellness, be sure to discuss your screen habits so our doctors can provide personalized recommendations to maximize your visual comfort.
For more on how to restore your eyes after too much screen time, check out our blog post.
Myth #3: Wearing Glasses Makes Your Eyes Dependent or Weaker
Many patients express concern that wearing prescription glasses will make their eyes "lazy" or cause their vision to deteriorate faster. Some even avoid wearing their prescribed glasses for fear of making their eyesight worse.
The Reality: Glasses correct your vision but do not alter the physical structure of your eye or affect its development. They work by bending light rays to compensate for refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Think of glasses as similar to a hearing aid—they assist your sensory organ but don't fundamentally change it.
If you notice that your vision seems worse when you remove your glasses after wearing them for a while, it's not because your eyes have grown weaker. Rather, you're simply noticing the contrast between corrected and uncorrected vision more acutely. Your eyes have become accustomed to clear vision, making the return to uncorrected vision more noticeable.
Vision changes over time due to aging, eye conditions, and general health factors—not because of corrective lenses. Avoiding prescribed glasses won't prevent these natural changes and may instead cause unnecessary eye strain and discomfort.
Myth #4: Eye Exercises Can Eliminate the Need for Glasses
Various programs claim that specific eye exercises can improve vision naturally and eliminate the need for corrective lenses. These claims can be appealing to those hoping to avoid glasses or contacts.
The Reality: While certain eye exercises can be beneficial for specific conditions like convergence insufficiency or accommodative dysfunction, they cannot change the fundamental shape of your eye or cure refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism.
The shape of your eye determines how light is focused on your retina, which in turn determines whether you need corrective lenses. Eye exercises cannot alter this basic anatomy. However, vision therapy—a specialized form of eye exercises prescribed by optometrists—can be effective for treating certain binocular vision issues, particularly in children.
It's important to distinguish between evidence-based vision therapy conducted under professional supervision and unproven "natural vision improvement" programs that make unrealistic claims. If you're experiencing vision issues, a comprehensive eye examination at Asheville Vision and Wellness will determine the appropriate treatment approach for your specific condition.
Myth #5: You Only Need an Eye Exam If You're Having Vision Problems
Many people believe that if they can see clearly, there's no need to visit an eye doctor. This misconception leads many to delay regular comprehensive eye examinations.
The Reality: Comprehensive eye exams are not just about checking whether you need glasses. They're a crucial part of preventive healthcare that can detect serious eye conditions before you experience any symptoms. Many eye diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration, develop gradually with few or no early warning signs.
During a comprehensive eye examination at Asheville Vision and Wellness, our doctors evaluate:
- Visual acuity at distance and near
- Refractive status (whether you need vision correction)
- Eye muscle coordination and movement
- Peripheral vision
- Intraocular pressure (important for glaucoma detection)
- The health of all eye structures, including the retina and optic nerve
Additionally, eye exams can reveal signs of systemic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers. For these reasons, regular comprehensive eye exams are recommended even if you have perfect vision and no symptoms.
The American Optometric Association recommends that adults have a comprehensive eye exam at least every two years, and annually after age 60. Those with existing eye conditions, certain medical issues like diabetes, or a family history of eye disease may need more frequent examinations.
Read our blog post about why our eyesight is sometimes blurry and not at other times.
Myth #6: Eating Carrots Dramatically Improves Eyesight
The idea that eating carrots gives you exceptional vision has persisted for generations. This myth actually gained popularity during World War II when the British military spread the rumor that their pilots' exceptional night vision resulted from eating carrots—a clever diversion to hide the fact that they were using radar technology to detect enemy aircraft.
The Reality: Carrots are indeed nutritious for your eyes, as they contain beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A—an essential nutrient for eye health. However, eating extra carrots won't improve vision beyond normal levels if you're not deficient in vitamin A.
A balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients is far more beneficial for eye health than focusing on a single food. Important nutrients for eye health include:
- Lutein and zeaxanthin (found in leafy greens, corn, and egg yolks)
- Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish like salmon and sardines)
- Vitamin C (found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers)
- Vitamin E (found in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils)
- Zinc (found in oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds)
At Asheville Vision and Wellness, we can provide personalized nutritional advice to support your eye health based on your specific needs and conditions.
Myth #7: Children Will Outgrow Crossed Eyes
Some parents delay seeking treatment for a child with strabismus (crossed eyes) or amblyopia (lazy eye), believing these conditions will resolve naturally as the child grows.
The Reality: Children typically do not outgrow true strabismus or amblyopia without appropriate intervention. In fact, delaying treatment can result in permanent vision impairment. The visual system develops rapidly during early childhood, and problems during this critical period can lead to long-term vision deficits if not addressed promptly.
Early intervention is key for these conditions. Treatment may include:
- Prescription glasses
- Eye patches
- Vision therapy
- Eye drops
- In some cases, surgery
If you notice any misalignment in your child's eyes, even if it seems to come and go, schedule a comprehensive eye examination with an eye doctor experienced in pediatric care. At Asheville Vision and Wellness, we provide eye exams for children and can detect and address conditions like strabismus and amblyopia before they lead to permanent vision issues.
Myth #8: Contact Lenses Can Get Lost Behind Your Eye
Many people are hesitant to try contact lenses because they worry the lens might slip behind their eye and become trapped or cause damage.
The Reality: It is physically impossible for a contact lens to go behind your eye. The conjunctiva, a thin membrane, connects your eye to your eyelids and forms a barrier that prevents objects from migrating to the back of the eye.
A contact lens can sometimes move off the cornea and hide under your upper eyelid, creating the sensation that it's lost. However, gentle manipulation of the eyelid or irrigating the eye with sterile saline solution will help retrieve the lens.
Modern contact lenses are designed for comfort, ease of use, and eye health. At Asheville Vision and Wellness, we offer comprehensive contact lens evaluations and can help determine which lens options might work best for your specific vision needs and lifestyle.
Myth #9: All Eye Protection is Created Equal
With increasing awareness about eye safety, more people are using protective eyewear for work and recreational activities. However, a common misconception is that any type of glasses or goggles provide adequate protection.
The Reality: Not all eye protection is created equal, and using the wrong type for a specific activity can give a false sense of security while leaving your eyes vulnerable to injury.
For proper eye protection:
- Choose safety glasses or goggles that meet ANSI Z87.1 standards for impact resistance
- Use sports-specific eyewear designed for your particular activity
- Ensure safety eyewear fits properly and comfortably
- Select protective lenses with UV protection for outdoor activities
- Replace damaged protective eyewear immediately
At Asheville Vision and Wellness, we offer a selection of quality safety eyewear, including Evil Eye sports glasses—the premier performance eyewear exclusive to Western North Carolina. Our experienced opticians can help you select the appropriate eye protection for your specific activities and ensure proper fit.
Myth #10: Cataracts Need to Be "Ripe" Before Removal
Older adults sometimes delay cataract surgery because they've heard that cataracts need to be "ripe" or fully developed before they can be removed.
The Reality: Modern cataract surgery does not require waiting until a cataract is "ripe." Today's surgical techniques allow for safe and effective removal of cataracts at any stage of development. The decision to proceed with surgery should be based on how the cataract affects your quality of life and daily activities, not on how advanced the cataract has become.
If cataracts are interfering with your ability to drive, read, or engage in activities you enjoy, it may be time to consider surgery—regardless of whether the cataract is considered "ripe" by traditional standards.
At Asheville Vision and Wellness, we provide pre- and post-operative care for cataract surgery patients, working in coordination with skilled ophthalmic surgeons to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Care Myths
Does wearing the wrong prescription glasses harm your eyes?
Wearing glasses with an incorrect prescription may cause headaches, eye strain, or blurred vision, but it will not permanently damage your eyes. However, for optimal comfort and vision, it's important to wear the correct prescription as determined by a comprehensive eye examination.
Can reading in a moving vehicle damage your eyes?
Reading in a moving car or bus will not harm your eyes, though it may cause temporary motion sickness or eye strain. If you experience significant discomfort, it's best to take a break and look out at the horizon to realign your visual and vestibular (balance) systems.
Is it bad to sit close to the TV?
Sitting close to the television does not damage your eyes, though it may cause temporary eye strain. Children often sit very close to screens because they have better near focusing ability than adults and may find it more comfortable. However, if an adult or child consistently sits unusually close to screens, it could indicate an uncorrected vision problem that warrants an eye examination.
Do artificial sweeteners cause blindness?
There is no scientific evidence that FDA-approved artificial sweeteners cause blindness when consumed in normal amounts. This myth has been thoroughly debunked by medical research.
Conclusion
Separating fact from fiction is essential for making informed decisions about your eye health. While some eye care myths contain a grain of truth, many are simply misconceptions that have been passed down through generations or spread through unverified sources.
At Asheville Vision and Wellness, we're committed to providing evidence-based information and care to our patients throughout Western North Carolina. Our experienced doctors and staff are always available to answer your questions and address concerns about your vision health.
Remember that regular comprehensive eye examinations are the cornerstone of preventive eye care and the best way to maintain healthy vision throughout your life. Contact us today to schedule your eye exam with Dr. Sid Morse, Dr. Lisa M. Greene, or Dr. Adam Greene.