Central Florida Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles of the Villages
Related Articles
Practicing proper eye care is critical to maintaining your eye health. However, there are many misleading myths about vision loss that can lead to uninformed and unhealthy practices. Here are seven debunked eye care myths to help you determine fact from fiction while maintaining your eyesight.
MOST POPULAR EYE CARE MYTHS
1. Vision loss is unpreventable: While it’s true that many serious eye conditions don’t always show symptoms, nearly 80% of vision loss can be prevented with early detection and treatment. A routine eye exam as part of your yearly visit to an optometrist can identify growing problems, such as glaucoma, before they become serious enough to start causing vision loss. If you experience a sudden change in vision, including blurriness, floaters, pain, or difficulty focusing, your optometrist will be able to diagnose those symptoms as well.
2. Having 20/20 vision means your eyes are healthy: Twenty-twenty vision indicates your central vision is clear, but that doesn’t mean your eyes have a clean bill of health. Conditions such as retinal disease and problems with your cornea can still persist, even with 20/20 eyesight. People with such “perfect” vision can still experience issues with visual tracking and other skills, making it difficult to work or learn. That’s why a comprehensive eye exam looks at more than just your eye strength, so any issues can be detected and corrected.
3. Wearing eyeglasses and contacts weakens your vision: It’s a common misconception that using contacts or glasses, or using a prescription that’s too strong, will permanently worsen your eyesight. The truth is your brain wants to see as clearly as possible, and wearing glasses and contacts can greatly improve your eyesight, reducing eye strain and headaches. Because your brain has become accustomed to seeing things less clearly, it’s likely new prescription lenses may seem overwhelmingly vibrant and may take a period of adjustment. While an incorrect eyeglass or contacts prescription can cause short-term effects like eyestrain or headaches, it won’t permanently damage your vision. Instead, work with your optometrist to find the correct prescription for your eyes.
4. Eye exercises can eliminate the need for glasses or contacts: Eye muscle exercises, also known as visual therapy, can help certain eye muscle disorders that affect visual skills like convergence and divergence. However, the need for eyeglasses or contacts depends on much more than the strength of your eye’s muscles. Natural factors like your cornea’s shape or eye length, as well as the development of cataracts or other eye diseases, will affect whether you need a visual prescription — all of which are factors that can’t be fixed with visual therapy.
5. Sitting too close to a TV or computer damages your eyes: Some people think that excessive screen time or sitting too close to electronic devices is a cause of nearsightedness. In fact, it’s often a symptom of it. While it’s not a good idea to stare closely at bright screens, you may find it necessary if your devices are appearing blurry. Instead, take it as a sign to go and get your eyes checked.
6. Cataracts grow back: Cataracts happen when the naturally clear lens inside your eye begins to cloud, which can occur as you age. If the clouding is serious enough, the lens may need to be surgically removed and replaced with an artificial lens. Once the natural lens is completely removed and replaced, cataracts cannot grow back. What you may experience instead is a “secondary cataract,” where cells collect on the posterior capsule, a tissue film that holds the lens implant in place. This can usually be corrected through an in-office laser procedure.
7. You don’t need a regular eye exam if you see well: People often assume that if their vision is fine, they can skip their yearly trip to the optometrist. In actuality, much more happens during an annual vision checkup than just updating your prescription. Part of your eye exam checks for any changes in your eye health that can be possible symptoms of other serious health conditions, including allergies, high blood pressure, diabetes, or even brain tumors and cancers. Your eye exam can help detect potentially life-threatening diseases that not only affect your health but take a toll on your whole body. Regular eye exams will help you catch and treat these conditions early on, preventing vision loss and protecting your health.
KEEP YOUR EYES HEALTHY WITH LAKE EYE
Annual comprehensive eye exams are an important part of maintaining your overall health. No matter your eye health needs, the experts at Lake Eye, a US Eye company, have what you need to keep your vision strong. From comprehensive eye exams and a full-service optical department to advance surgical treatments for nearly every condition, Lake Eye is dedicated to preserving and restoring your vision.
To learn more about the variety of services we offer, contact us today and schedule an appointment with one of our experienced ophthalmologists or optometrists.
LAKE EYE ASSOCIATES
352-632-2020
LakeEye.com
