The Medical City Infographic: Eye Care Myths and Facts
Eye Care Myths and Facts
Eye Care Myths:
“Children outgrow crossed or misaligned eyes.”
Children do not outgrow crossed eyes. A child whose eyes are misaligned may develop poor vision in one eye because the brain will “turn off” or ignore the image from the misaligned or lazy eye. The unused or misaligned eye will not develop good vision unless it is forced to work, usually by patching the stronger eye.
Children who appear to have misaligned eyes should be examined by an ophthalmologist. In general, the earlier misaligned eyes are treated, the better. Treatment may include patching, eyeglasses, eyedrops, surgery, or a combination of these methods.
“Sitting close to the television can damage children’s eyes.”
Children can focus at close distance without eyestrain better than adults. They often develop the habit of holding reading materials close to their eyes or sitting right in front of the television.
There is no evidence that this damages their eyes, and the habit usually diminishes as children grow older. Children with nearsightedness (myopia) sometimes sit close to the television in order to see the images more clearly.
“A cataract must be ‘ripe’ before it is removed.”
With older surgical techniques, it was thought to be safer to remove a cataract when it was “ripe.” With today’s modern surgical procedures, a cataract can be removed whenever it begins to interfere with a person’s lifestyle.
If you are unable to see well enough to do the things you like or need to do, you should consider cataract surgery. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.
Eye Care Facts:
“Older people who gain ‘second sight’ may be developing cataracts.”
Older individuals who wear reading eyeglasses sometimes find themselves able to read without their eyeglasses and think their eyesight is improving. The truth is they are becoming more nearsighted, which can be a sign of early cataract development.
Older individuals who wear reading eyeglasses sometimes find themselves able to read without their eyeglasses and think their eyesight is improving. The truth is they are becoming more nearsighted, which can be a sign of early cataract development.
"Safety goggles prevent many potentially blinding injuries every year. Keep goggles handy and use them!"
"Although a good fit is required for good vision with glasses, a poor fit does not damage your eyes."
"Regular eye exams and proper treatment if necessary can stop vision loss."
"Eye disease can happen at any age, thus need a periodic eye exam."
***This post is lifted froma:eyeamerica.org
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