Dispelling Myths Of Eyes, Their Care

September 29, 1985|By United Press International

SAN FRANCISCO — The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers this quiz to test your ability to distinguish eye fact from eye fiction. Are the following statements true or false?

-- Reading for prolonged periods in dim light can harm the eyes.

False. A common misconception is that the way light enters the eye is important. Except in extreme circumstances, this is just not so. Reading in dim light can no more harm the eye than taking a photograph in dim light can harm the camera.

-- Watching a bright television picture in a dimly lighted room for prolonged periods can harm the eyes.

False. The eye merely deals with light, regardless of contrast. If people do not like the marked contrast of a bright television picture in a dimly lighted room, they can turn on some lights. It is important to distinguish between harm and discomfort.

-- If children sit too close to the television, they may damage their eyes. False. It is common for normal-sighted children to want to get close to the television set just as they want to get close to reading material. People can hold reading material or watch television at a distance that is comfortable to them without harm.

-- Wearing glasses that are too strong can damage the eyes.

False. Glasses treat light, not the eye. Incorrect glasses will not damage eyes but may result in blurring, which causes discomfort and may lead to a headache.

-- People who wear glasses should be checked every year to see if a change is needed.

False. Glasses have nothing to do with the health of the eyes. As long as an individual is happy with the vision with the present glasses, there is little reason to check for change.

-- Older people who may be having trouble seeing should not use their eyes too much because they can wear them out sooner.

False. There is no evidence that using the eyes can wear them out.

-- People with weak eyes should rest their eyes often to strengthen them.

False. Conversely, eyes that are ''bad'' for whatever reason did not get this way from overuse and can in no way be improved by rest.

-- Cataracts can sometimes grow back after cataract surgery.

False. Because a cataract is an opacity in the lens of the eye and because in the standard cataract operation the entire lens is removed, the lens and, therefore, the cataract cannot grow back.

-- A sign of healthy eyes in seniors is their ability to read the newspaper without glasses.

False. People who are nearsighted to a certain extent can always read without glasses, no matter what their age. Sometimes a cataract will cause an eye to become nearsighted, giving what has been referred to as ''second sight.'' Thus, the ability to read without glasses in old age means nearsightedness, either since youth or because of cataracts.

-- Headaches are usually due to eyestrain.

False. Headaches usually are not related to the eyes.

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