Vision Facts and Myths

Old wives' tales abound about the eyes. From watching TV to eating carrots, here's the lowdown on some vision facts and fiction.

MYTH: Sitting too close to the TV is bad for your child's eyes.
FACT: Although parents have been saying this ever since the television first found its way into our living rooms, there's no evidence that plunking down right in front of the television damages a child's eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says that kids can actually focus up close without eyestrain better than adults, so they often develop the habit of sitting right in front of the television or holding reading material close to their eyes. However, sitting too close to a TV may indicate that a child is nearsighted.

MYTH: If you cross your eyes, they'll stay that way.
FACT: No, contrary to the old saying, children's eyes will not stay that way if they cross them.

MYTH: If I have poor eyesight, my child will inherit that trait.
FACT: Unfortunately, this one is sometimes true. If you need glasses for good vision or have developed an eye condition (such as cataracts), your child may inherit that same trait. Discuss your family's visual history with your child's doctor.

MYTH: Children should eat carrots to improve their vision.
FACT: Although it's true that carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is essential for sight, many other foods (asparagus, apricots, nectarines, and milk, for example) also contain vitamin A. So, a well–balanced diet can provide the vitamin A needed for good vision, says the AAO.

MYTH: Using computers damages a child's eyes.
FACT: According to the AAO, working on computers won't harm your eyes. However, when using a computer for long periods of time, the eyes blink less than normal (like they do when reading or performing other close work). This makes the eyes dry, which may lead to a feeling of eyestrain or fatigue. So, it's a good idea to make sure your child takes frequent breaks from the computer or video games.