Myths regarding our health and wellness have been around, well, forever. Unfortunately, far too many people don’t take the time to do some fact checking to see whether or not certain claims are true or not. This can be particularly dangerous, especially when a certain claim involves our eyes.
Your eyes, as well as your kids’ eyes, require special attention in order to maintain good vision. To help protect the your family members, today we’re going to separate fact from fiction by debunking some common myths related to our eyes.
1. Sitting too close to the television will damage your eyes
This is a common habit of children and a persistent source of concern among parents. However, there is no evidence to show that sitting too close to the screen can damage your eyes, says Prevent Blindness. In fact, young children find it easier to focus on objects close up, unlike adults. However, sitting close to the TV could be a sign of nearsightedness, so be sure to schedule an eye exam to rule out that possibility.
2. If you have poor eyesight, so will your children
While this is sometimes true, it’s not always the case. Your children will not necessarily inherit your poor vision nor any other eye condition, explains Kids Health. A discussion of your family’s visual health history with your eye doctor is a great way to learn what conditions your child may or may not potentially develop.
3. You only need an eye exam if you’re experiencing problems
Both parents and children should receive regular eye exams regardless of whether they have difficulty seeing or suffer from an eye health concern. Routine eye exams can help detect a wide array of issues before they cause significant damage to the eyes. VSP recommends that adults receive eye exams annually. Children should have their first eye exam around six months old and then every year to two years following unless your doctor recommends otherwise.
4. Nightlights lead to nearsightedness in children
There is insufficient evidence to support this common myth, according to WebMD. Some experts even think that a nightlight may help babies learn to focus and help develop eye coordination skills during waking hours after dark.
5. Looking directly at the sun won’t damage your eyes
No matter the visible strength of the sun, looking straight at the sun can cause both temporary damage, such as headaches and distorted vision and permanent damage, including macular degeneration, solar retinitis and corneal dystrophies, explains WebMD. Protect your eyes from UV rays by always donning a pair of sunglasses when outdoors.
Avoid harming your eyes and your overall health by never blindly believing in myths without checking their validity first. And of course, be sure to incorporate good daily habits to best protect your eyes and vision, make sure you receive routine eye exams and incorporate good habits into your family’s daily routines, including eating a healthy diet and wearing sunglasses.
Find sunglasses for all ages and stages of childhood on the Real Kids website!