We’re Demystifying Myths about Healthy Vision
You only get one pair of eyes. Helping you keep them healthy is the main priority, and passion, for our board-certified retina specialists at Austin Retina Associates.
May is Healthy Vision Month, and we are debunking some myths that may or may not have an effect on your vision and general eye health.
Take a peek below about what’s fact or fiction and what you should know about maintaining healthy eyes:
Myth #1: Wearing glasses will make your eyesight worse.
False. Wearing the right prescription, and right fitting, glasses will not weaken your eyes or make eyesight worse. There is some thought that forcing the eyes to better concentrate and focus on their own will strengthen vision, but there is no evidence to support this. Straining the eyes could lead to other issues, beyond poor eyesight, such as serious headaches.
Myth #2: Reading in dim light hurts your vision.
False. While reading in dim or dark settings will make it difficult to see, and could cause eye fatigue, it will not harm your eyes or permanently change your vision in any way. Still, reading where you have ample light is often easier and more comfortable.
Myth #3: You only need an eye exam if you are having trouble seeing.
False. Vision can change gradually over time, and these changes may go unnoticed if you only rely on your own observations.
In fact, many eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration, often develop without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. By the time symptoms appear, the condition may have progressed significantly.
Waiting until you experience vision problems to get an eye exam may result in missed opportunities for early intervention and treatment of potentially serious eye conditions.
Guidance on when to have your eyes checked can be found here as recommended by the American Optometric Association.
Myth #4: Smoking does not affect vision.
False. Smoking can have serious side effects on your eyes, putting you at risk for both cataracts and AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration), both of which can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness. AMD is the gradual breakdown of the macula, or the center of the eye which is tasked with seeing color and fine details. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), you are twice as likely to develop AMD than those who do not smoke.
Stopping smoking is an important decision that could help save not just your eyesight, but also your life!
Myth #5: Vision loss is always irreversible.
False. There is no cure currently for blindness, but there may be help for those suffering from various degrees of less permanent vision loss. New advancements in gene therapy and stem cell research can help correct vision loss by targeting and treating the specific genes that may be contributing to poor eyesight. Clinical research trials offered at Austin Retina Associates are always seeking patients willing to explore new options for improving their sight.
Final tips from us on maintaining healthy eyes and vision include:
- Schedule your regular eye exams and know your risk for any eye disease.
- Eat smart foods to support eye health like dark leafy greens and fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Protect your vision by practicing workplace eye safety.
- Protect your eyes in all other potentially dangerous scenarios too such as playing sports, setting off fireworks, or working on home improvement, yard or construction projects.
- Wear sunglasses that are proven to block both harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Consult with a Retina Specialist Today
Austin Retina Associates treats a wide range of retinal conditions. Our experienced team of retina specialists in Austin are dedicated to improving your vision and quality of life.
Contact us at 800-252-8259, or request an appointment online at one of our retina treatment centers located in Austin and throughout Central Texas.
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