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 the eyes.
Fact: Although parents have been saying this ever since TVs first
found their way into our homes, there's no evidence that plunking down right in front
of the TV set damages someone'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 close to a TV may be a sign
of nearsightedness.

Myth: If you cross your eyes, they'll stay that way.
Fact: Contrary to the old saying, eyes will not stay that way
if you cross them. If your child is crossing one eye constantly, schedule an evaluation
by an ophthalmologist.
Myth: If parents have poor eyesight, their kids 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 kids
might inherit that same trait. Discuss your family's visual history with your doctor.
Myth: Eating carrots can improve vision.
Fact: Although it's true that carrots are rich in vitamin A, which
is essential for sight, so are many other foods (asparagus, apricots, nectarines,
and milk, for example). A well-balanced diet can provide the vitamin A needed for
good vision, says the AAO.
Myth: Computer use can damage the eyes.
Fact: According to the AAO, computer use won't harm the 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 encourage your kids
to take frequent breaks from Internet surfing or video games.
Myth: Two blue-eyed parents can't produce a child with brown eyes.
Fact: Two blue-eyed parents can have a child with brown eyes,
although it's very rare. Likewise, two brown-eyed parents can have a child with blue
eyes, although this is also uncommon.
Myth: Only boys can be color-blind.
Fact: It's estimated that up to 8% of boys have some degree of
color blindness, whereas less than 1% of girls do.
Myth: The eye is full size at birth.
Fact: The eye is NOT full size at birth but continues to grow
with your child. This growth partially accounts for refractive (glasses) changes that
occur during childhood.
Myth: Wearing glasses too much will make the eyes "dependent" on them.
Fact: Refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or
astigmatism) change as kids get older. Many variables come into play, but most of
this change is likely due to genetics and continues despite wearing glasses earlier
or later or more or less. Wearing glasses does not make the eyes get worse.
Date reviewed: September 2016