THE FACTS ABOUT EYE MYTHS (PART 3!)
In case you missed our earlier blog posts, we compiled things we hear that are just not true and cleared up the facts. Be sure to check out that post here for Myths #1-4 and here for Myths #5-9. But back by popular demand, we have more myths to clear up for you! It’s all too often that we hear these things either out and about or from our patients, and we’re happy to set the records straight and clear up those misunderstandings. So without further adieu, on to the myths!
MYTH #10: Having 20/20 vision means your eyes are perfect.
Fact #10: while you may see well with 20/20 vision, your eye health may not be perfect.
This is on the top of the myth list for our doctors! We hear all too often from patients that they see 20/20, so they don’t need to see the eye doctor because they have perfect vision. Maybe you do have good central vision, which is what that 20/20 number means, however, we evaluate more than just your vision at your annual eye exam. There are other conditions that do not affect vision, but do cause the eye to function improperly, lose side vision, night vision, or color vision. Most of these conditions are gradual or can take several years to affect vision, which is why it is so important to monitor your eyes annually to be sure they are not only seeing well, but functioning properly. So even if you think you have “perfect vision,” we still want to see you to make sure your eyes function well and are not at risk for any other conditions.
MYTH #11: Wearing glasses that are too strong will cause permanent damage to your eyes.
Fact #11: glasses that are too strong or are not the correct prescription, may cause headaches, but no permanent damage.
Glasses simply affect the light rays that enter your eye in order to help you see, they don’t actually change any part of the eye itself. Sometimes the higher strength or incorrect prescription, may cause more strain or a headache from your brain pushing through the incorrect vision to see clearly. Other times, it just may be blurry or not actually help improve your vision. However, these are all temporary problems that can be fixed by simply removing the glasses. No permanent damage to your eyes or change in your prescription will occur from wearing incorrect glasses.
MYTH #12: Cataracts can grow back.
FACT #12: Once cataracts are removed, they are gone. Sometimes not all the cells are removed, which can accumulate in one spot appearing like another cataract.
Cataracts form in the lens of the eye, and once removed they are gone but replaced with an artificial lens. Sometimes not every single cell of the cataract is able to be removed. In this case, these cells often accumulate in the back of the artificial lens making it appear hazy, just like a new cataract. We call this posterior capsule opacification. With a simple zap of a laser to those cells, they disappear! This laser treatment is usually less than 15 minutes, you are in a machine to look at the lens in the office, not a surgery, and you walk out of the exam room afterwards. Once you have this laser, it will never again be an issue!
MYTH #13: someone who is color deficient only sees black and white.
FACT #13: Actually color deficient eyes see in different shades of gray or yellow.
This one is usually better to see with a visual! The cells in the retina that respond to color are called cones. There are actually three different types of cones as well: one to determine blue colors, one for green colors and the third for distinguishing red colors. When someone has a color deficiency, it often means they are lacking certain cones, so a lack of that color is distinguished. For example, someone who is red-green color deficient (the most common), is lacking red and green cones in their eye. When an image is seen, the retina fails to process the red and green colors. The brain interprets this information from the retina, and we perceive that image as lacking red and green pigment. It actually will take on more of a yellow hue instead! If you want to learn more about this, check out our color vision blog here.
MYTH #14: Eating carrots can improve your vision.
FACT #14: While the vitamin A that is produced from carrots, can improve vision in dim lighting, in the U.S. we already reach our max vitamin A intake with regular diets and will not see any benefit… even from eating only carrots all day, every day!
The body uses beta-carotene, found in carrots, to make vitamin A. This can improve vision in low light conditions or night vision. In malnourished countries, there are certainly benefits to carrots and increasing Vitamin A, as there is even such a thing as blindness from Vitamin A deficiency. Certain studies researched just how many carrots will impact this, and while the results are mixed, it is still a very high number that is not practical. What is more practical is supplying those countries with Vitamin A supplements. However, in the U.S., we are blessed with resources to maintain a well-balanced diet to reach Vitamin A necessities easily through our typical foods. Once the body has enough beta-carotene, it will no longer convert it to Vitamin A. Essentially there is a maximum that once hit, it no longer benefits your vision. So no need to binge carrots… Sorry, mom! But she did know what she was talking about with that well-balanced diet thing though!
Well, there you have it, we hope we cleared up some more myths for you and helped you to see the facts! We love hearing from you some of the things you’ve heard and always wondered if they were true. Comment below or use the contact us page to message us with those burning questions! Maybe, just maybe, there will be a Part 4 of The Facts About Eye Myths to come!
