It seems the world is full of mothers who fancy themselves amateur ophthalmologists.
Who didn't grow up hearing admonishments such as "Eat your carrots. They're good for your eyes," or, "Don't sit
so close to the TV. You'll go blind"?
Who didn't grow up hearing admonishments such as "Eat your carrots. They're good for your eyes," or, "Don't sit
so close to the TV. You'll go blind"?
We consulted with Dr. Mark Melson, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Vanderbilt University, to find out whether
these and other famous mom-sayings are true.
Wearing glasses makes your vision worse over time.
Myth: Eyesight can naturally degrade as you age, but wearing glasses does not damage vision or make the eyes dependent on them.
Melson says it's likely that perception changes. People who have never worn glasses are accustomed to navigating a blurry world.
When seeing clearly through glasses becomes the new normal, their natural eyesight seems worse by comparison.
Eating carrots will improve your vision.
Myth: Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which is essential for sight. However, the small amount of vitamin A that's necessary to maintain good vision is easily achieved by eating a balanced diet. Many foods are rich in vitamin A, such as asparagus, apricots, nectarines, milk and cheese, among others.
Though rare, Melson said consuming too much vitamin A has been linked to muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting and increased head pressure.
Babies can't see normally at birth.
Fact: Newborn babies can see little more than the difference between light and dark, Melson says.
While eyesight improves significantly over the following weeks and months, it's believed that they don't develop 20/20 vision until age 2 or 3.
these and other famous mom-sayings are true.
Wearing glasses makes your vision worse over time.
Myth: Eyesight can naturally degrade as you age, but wearing glasses does not damage vision or make the eyes dependent on them.
Melson says it's likely that perception changes. People who have never worn glasses are accustomed to navigating a blurry world.
When seeing clearly through glasses becomes the new normal, their natural eyesight seems worse by comparison.
Eating carrots will improve your vision.
Myth: Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which is essential for sight. However, the small amount of vitamin A that's necessary to maintain good vision is easily achieved by eating a balanced diet. Many foods are rich in vitamin A, such as asparagus, apricots, nectarines, milk and cheese, among others.
Though rare, Melson said consuming too much vitamin A has been linked to muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting and increased head pressure.
Babies can't see normally at birth.
Fact: Newborn babies can see little more than the difference between light and dark, Melson says.
While eyesight improves significantly over the following weeks and months, it's believed that they don't develop 20/20 vision until age 2 or 3.
Looking directly into the sun will damage your eyesight.
Fact: The intensity of the sun's light damages cells that help people see. Other types of bright light, such as laser pointers, can have the same effect. Though it varies from person to person, injury can occur in a matter of seconds.
Reading in dim light weakens eyesight.
Myth: While reading in the dark can strain your eyes temporarily and give you a headache, it doesn't cause lasting damage.
Sitting too close to the TV will damage your vision.
Myth: In the 1960s, some television sets were found to emit excessive radiation, which is why many people grew up with
their mothers telling them not to sit too close to the TV.
While that's not an issue today, Melson said that watching too much television — or focusing your eyes on any one thing for a long period of time — can strain the eyes and cause headaches. There's no lasting damage, though.
Melson said if children habitually sit too close to the TV, it could be a sign that they can't see it from farther away and need to have their eyes checked.
If you cross your eyes, they'll stay that way.
Myth: An annoyed mother likely started this erroneous belief centuries ago.
The tiny muscles that control eye movement may get tired if you keep your eyes crossed for a long time, but they are highly resilient and won't become stuck.
Fact: The intensity of the sun's light damages cells that help people see. Other types of bright light, such as laser pointers, can have the same effect. Though it varies from person to person, injury can occur in a matter of seconds.
Reading in dim light weakens eyesight.
Myth: While reading in the dark can strain your eyes temporarily and give you a headache, it doesn't cause lasting damage.
Sitting too close to the TV will damage your vision.
Myth: In the 1960s, some television sets were found to emit excessive radiation, which is why many people grew up with
their mothers telling them not to sit too close to the TV.
While that's not an issue today, Melson said that watching too much television — or focusing your eyes on any one thing for a long period of time — can strain the eyes and cause headaches. There's no lasting damage, though.
Melson said if children habitually sit too close to the TV, it could be a sign that they can't see it from farther away and need to have their eyes checked.
If you cross your eyes, they'll stay that way.
Myth: An annoyed mother likely started this erroneous belief centuries ago.
The tiny muscles that control eye movement may get tired if you keep your eyes crossed for a long time, but they are highly resilient and won't become stuck.
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