Common Eye Care Myths

Woman with eye exam chart behind her

Myths About Your Visual Health

Misinformation tends to be confused with fact the longer it circulates. Unfortunately, that often means that people don't have the information they need to make informed decisions about their general or visual health. Have you heard any of these eyesight myths and wondered if they're actually true?

Myth: You Don't Need an Eye Examination if Your Vision Isn't Blurry

Fact: Vision changes can often occur very gradually. In fact, you may not even realize just how much your vision worsened until you receive a brand new pair of glasses or contact lenses.

Blurry vision isn't the only issue that can affect your visual health. As you age, your risk of glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration rises. If you don't have regular eye exams, you may not realize that you have one of these conditions or diseases until you experience permanent vision loss.

All About Vision recommends vision examinations for children at 6 months and 3 years, then every two years until age 18. Adults 18 to 60 should see the eye doctor every two years. After age 61, eye exams should be scheduled annually.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you'll need to see your optometrist every year to determine if your prescription has changed. More frequent exams are also needed if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of eye disease, a previous eye injury, or currently have an eye disease.

Myth: Drugstore Eyeglasses Offer a Good Solution if You're Having Trouble Seeing

Fact: Choosing your eyeglasses from the drugstore or grocery store may seem to offer a simple solution if your vision has started to get a little blurry. Although they may be inexpensive, drugstore glasses offer a few drawbacks including:

  • Lack of Customization: The glasses contain the same lens power in each lens and only offer a limited range of lens options. It's not unusual to need different lenses for each eye or require a stronger prescription than the store-bought glasses can offer. Store-bought glasses also don't provide correction for astigmatism, a refractive error that can distort your vision at both far and near distances.
  • Discomfort: Wearing glasses that aren't right for your eyes can cause headaches and eyestrain.
  • Worsening of Eye Conditions: It's not a good idea to assume that the glasses alone will correct your vision problem. If you have an underlying health or vision problem, skipping an eye exam may mean that your condition will worsen and cause temporary or permanent vision loss.

Myth: Eating Carrots Will Help You Overcome Vision Problems

Fact: Carrots contain vitamin A, a nutrient essential for good eye health. Although eating carrots and other foods that contain vitamin A is certainly a good idea, you'll still be nearsighted or farsighted no matter how many carrots you eat.

Myth: Sitting Too Close to the TV Will Harm Your Children's Eyes

Fact: Do you find yourself repeating your parents' warning to move away from the TV? Although you may experience eyestrain if you sit too close to the TV or hold a digital device close to your eyes, your kids may not have the same difficulty. The American Academy of Opthalmology reports that there is no evidence that sitting close to the TV will damage the eyes whether you're an adult or a child.

Myth: Children Outgrow Crossed Eyes

Fact: Strabismus, or crossed eyes, occurs when the eyes are misaligned. Although many people believe that children will outgrow crossed eyes, that's not true, according to the American Optometric Association.

Without treatment, your child will struggle to focus on near objects and experience double vision or depth perception issues. Eventually, your child's brain may start to ignore the input from one eye. Fortunately, strabismus can be treated if you make visits to the optometrist a priority in early childhood.

Myth: Reading in the Dark Is Bad for Your Eyes

Fact: Reading in dim light may also cause eyestrain and headaches, but your eyes won't be damaged if you don't turn on a light. Your need for light increases as you age. When you get older, tiny muscles that control pupil size don't work quite as well. As a result, the pupils don't widen as much as they used to in low light conditions.

Regular eye examinations offer a simple way to protect your visual health? Has it been a while since you saw the optometrist? Contact our office to schedule a convenient appointment.

Sources:

All About Vision: Eye Exam Cost and When to Have an Eye Exam

American Optometric Association: Strabismus

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Can Sitting Too Close to the TV Damage Your Eyes?, 12/9/10

Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

We are closed for lunch daily from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM.

Brier Creek Vision Care

Monday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday:

7:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonial

  • "Excellent office. Staff is helpful and polite when dealing with my special needs child. They understand when he needs break and how to redirect to another technique to achieve goal. Would highly recommend to others!"
    Jennifer, Raleigh, NC
  • "I needed an eye doctor to see me for my concussion issue that effected my eyesight. There isn't many who are able to assess. Dr. Durham knew just how to work with my case in a gentle manner to help keep me calm. I finally have hope for healing now."
    Elizabeth 3/15/19 - Answer to Prayer
  • "Dr Durham is amazing. She takes the time to hear the patient and is extemely knowlegable."
    Susan 3/16/19 - Amazing
  • "All the staff were very helpful & Susan Durham was very thorough & professional"
    Jill 3/14/19
  • "Dr. Durham and her staff are the best and most knowledgeable dealing with brain injuries. Highly recommended!"
    Kristina 3/11/19 - Absolutely the best!
  • "Thought exam was personal, deteilrd and fully explained. Staff were prompt, kind, snd professional. I’d recommend Dr. Durham’s clinic to anyone needing eye care."
    Thomas 3/10/19
  • "The staff was very polite and extremely patient with my condition. Very specific about my condition and caring to help me recover. We will have a long road to recovery together."
    Elizabeth 3/11/19
  • "Didn't have to wait. Very thorough eye exam."
    Sandy 3/7/19 - Great eye checkup
  • "My visit was more than I could of asked for. I told my friends about my visit to the future. Dr. Dunham was extremely knowledgeable, concerned and determined to get it right, Her staff seemed to respect her greatly. staff was trained very well and gave me the confidence they knew what they were doing.
    I have already told my friends about my visit to the future."
    Patricia 2/24/19 - Everything was perfect.
  • "My daughter and I have have had great experiences at Brier Creek Vision! Dr. N. Is fantastic!! The office staff is super friendly, accommodating and very pleasurable to work with. Eye glass frames are plentiful and the opticians are helpful, suggestive and patient! Thanks to everyone for making all of visits wonderful!!"
    Cynthia 2/14/19 – Great Experience
  • "Dr Nakagawara is open, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Karim Glover in the optical dispensary took great care in explaining and helping me to get great value on a new set of prescription sunglasses that will do much more than my previous set. Extremely happy.
    Loved the Optician!"
    Thomas 2/22/19 - Great Doctors and Team...
  • "I cannot tell you how happy I am with Brier Creek Vision. Everyone from the moment you enter, all the way through the appointment, is knowledgeable friendly and caring. I receive excellent and professional care. Highly recommend!"
    Helen 2/21/19 - Excellent care
  • "Went from 20/30 to 20/20! The sky is the limit with dr Patel. Will continue to bring both my kids here...."
    Temidayo 2/17/19 - Dr Patel Rocks!!!!
  • "I have had nothing but amazing experiences here! The entire staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I have never walked away unsatisfied."
    Shelby 2/14/19 - Awesome!
  • "This office has all of the latest equipment and skills to take care of your eyes."
    Wales 2/6/19 - Great eye care!
  • "The atmosphere in the office is very pleasant and welcoming. I always feel comfortable in both the waiting room and the exam rooms. Selecting glasses is also a breeze, as the staff is extremely helpful and knowledgable."
    Kris 1/31/19 - Amazing Experience
  • "Our family visit was over the top. The entire staff took their time and made sure each and everyone's exam was through. No pressure to buy glasses. Our experience with Dr. Nakagawara was outstanding!!"
    Melissa 1/31/19 - Recommend
  • "I always have the best visit at Brier Creek Vision. My Doctor, Esther Nakagawara, is the best at what she does! She handles the procedures with care, caution and concern, explains well and has the best solutions to keep your eyes healthy. The staff is accommodating, patient and very kind to everyone; they never mind answering questions. The opticians are helpful in assisting with the selection of eyecare that looks good and works the best for you. I have told many people about my positive experiences at Brier Creek Vision and recommended this office as well."
    Kailah 1/30/19 - The Best in Eyeccare!!
  • "My family and I have been patients of Brier Creek Vision for 2 years. Dr. Nakagawara is a very caring and skilled OD who communicates, teaches and plans well. The staff and optometrists are inviting, knowledgeable and very helpful. We have recommended BCV to all our friends and family!"
    Cynthia 1/30/19 - Highly recommend
  • "I was thrilled to learn about the new Shaw lens concept to treat my daughter's amblyopia!"
    Molly 1/30/19 - Excellent Experience