Separating Fact from Fiction in Vision Health

Chances are, you’ve heard a number of bold claims about your eyes and what can happen to them, but what’s true and what isn’t? Let’s review some of the most common eye-related myths and misconceptions, and the truth behind them.
 

If you cross your eyes, they might get stuck that way.

If you made a lot of funny faces as a child, there’s a good chance that your parents or another adult around you tried to get you to stop by saying, “If you keep doing that, you’re going to get stuck that way.” In reality, there’s no chance of your eyes getting stuck no matter how long you cross them, so don’t worry about flashing a funny face.
 

Don’t sit so close to the TV or you’re going to damage your vision.

Sitting super close to a TV or monitor screen might sound like it could damage your vision, but your distance from a screen is unlikely to cause long-term damage. While sitting very close or very far away can contribute to headache and eye strain, the distance between your eyes and the screen doesn’t factor into the damage they may incur.
 

On the flip side, staring at a screen from any distance for long periods of time can negatively affect your vision. So, follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means looking 20 feet away from you for at least 20 seconds for every 20 minutes of screen time.
 

People who are color blind can only see in black and white.

Color blindness can come in many forms and it’s not surprising that many people assume that “color blindness” means people can’t see color. However, the reality is that color blindness is a spectrum, and many people see a variety of colors — they just see them differently.
 

The most common type of color blindness is red-green color blindness, which means that a person has a difficult time distinguishing between red and green. While the colors look very different to you, someone with red-green color blindness will not be able to see red, so all colors will appear to be shades of green and blue.
 

Eyes can be transplanted like any other organ.

Medical science hasn’t yet achieved a safe and reliable way to transplant an entire eye. However, if you hear someone talking about receiving an “eye transplant,” that doesn’t mean they’re lying. What they’re actually talking about is getting a donated cornea.
 

The cornea is the clear front part of the eye responsible for helping you focus. If the cornea is damaged, it can lead to vision loss, but a cornea transplant can restore vision back to normal.
 

No questions are too big or small for your Optometrist.  Share any concerns or ask questions at your annual comprehensive eye exam. Haven’t had an annual exam in a while?  Contact your nearest Vision Center South to schedule an appointment today with one of our experienced optometrists.