1. Reading in a poorly lit room will ruin your eyesight.
Verdict: False
Being too lazy to get up from a comfortable reading spot to switch on a lamp as the day is darkening will not cause irreversible optical consequences. You are more likely to experience eye fatigue which, funnily enough, can be remedied by a period of rest.
2. Sunlight can damage your eyes.
Verdict: True
UV rays are serious business. Overexposure can lead to a gradual ocular deterioration, which often unfolds undetected and is susceptible to cause permanent harm. Whether you are spending a sunny afternoon at the beach or going hiking on an overcast day, protecting your eyes from UV rays should be a priority.
3. Sitting too close to the television can cause your eyesight to decline.
Verdict: False
This remnant of our childhood is incorrect! It can lead to eye fatigue or dryness, but failing eyesight does not come into play.
However, if your child seems to cultivate a passion for watching their favourite cartoons at a considerably close range, that could mean that they’re due for glasses – it might be time for their first visit to the optometrist!
4. Eye exams are only necessary if you are experiencing optical issues.
Verdict: False
Many ocular issues can go unnoticed until they reach an advanced stage. It’s why the Canadian Association of Optometrists encourages everyone to undergo regular eye exams, more specifically every year or two for adults, and every year for children and the elderly.
5. Wearing glasses or contact lenses can accelerate loss of vision.
Verdict: False
Eyewear improves eyesight, not the other way around! In truth, wearing prescription lenses can even decelerate the progression of certain afflictions and in so doing prolong healthy vision.
6. Eating carrots improves eyesight.
Verdict: Partly true
Fruits and vegetables such as carrots, clementines, blueberries, and broccoli have high amounts of antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E, which help protect the corneas and crystalline lenses, contribute to preventing cataracts and combat eye fatigue.
In short, these nutrients can help maintain your eye health, but they have no impact on conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia.
7. Laser pointers are dangerous to the eyes.
Verdict: True
While laser pointers are rarely powerful enough to cause serious harm, a laser beam pointed at the eye has the potential to lead to injuries.
8. If your parents have optical health issues, you will too.
Verdict: Partly true
Genetics are a major factor in the development of eye diseases, but they aren’t automatically an indication of future health issues. Two myopic parents can give birth to a child with 20/20 vision, and vice versa.
9. Reading fine print can impair your vision.
Verdict: False
You will probably experience eye fatigue, which will subside after a period of rest. There goes our excuse for ignoring the Terms and Conditions.
10. Wearing the wrong prescription lenses can damage your eyesight.
Verdict: False
It will be uncomfortable, and you might strain your eyes, but your vision will remain unchanged. We still recommend that your use the prescription given to you by your eye health professional to benefit from optimal quality of vision.
11. All sunglasses are made equal.
Verdict: False
While they will all make you look super cool (or is that just us?), they can only protect you from UV rays if they display the UV400 or CE mark. In case you were about to ask, all BonLook sunnies provide 100% UVA and UVB protection.
12. Prolonged screen-time can be detrimental to your ocular health.
Verdict: False
There are many reasons to monitor our screen time, but permanent ocular damage is not one of them. The blue light of our digital screens can cause eye strain and dryness, which can be made better by taking regular breaks and, quite simply, by blinking more frequently.
It’s also useful to keep the 20-20-20 rule in mind whenever you have to spend many hours in front of your computer (which will probably be tomorrow, we assume). Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and turn your gaze towards a spot situated 20 feet away from you. Your eyes will thank you!
Just remembered you’re actually due for an optometrist appointment? Take a look at our list of locations that offer eye exams!
