Eye Conditions, Eye Treatments, General, Health, News

Over the years, our patients have shared many eye-related concerns with the Westchester Eye Surgeons staff. Read on as we clarify some common misconceptions.

Reading in dim light is harmful to your eyes. True or False?

False. Reading in dim light may strain your eyes but it is not harmful.

Viewing your computer monitor is harmful to the eyes. True or False?

False. Just like reading in dim light, viewing a monitor excessively may strain your eyes, but it is not harmful.

Using your eyes too much, you will “wear them out.” True or False?

False. You may view things with your eyes as much as you want without fearing they will wear out.

Improperly fitting eyeglasses injure your eyes. True or False?

Partially true. Proper fitting glasses provide the best focus for good vision, an improper fit may blur your focus but it does not hurt your eyes.

Poorly fitting contact lenses harm your eyes. True or False?

True. Poorly fitting contact lenses can be harmful to the eye. The cornea, the part of the eye on which the contacts rest, could get dry, injured, or infected which sometimes leads to vision loss.

A welder can safely to do their job by merely squinting their eyes. True or False?

False. Even when squinting UV reaches your eyes. Damage can occur to the cornea, cataract, and retina. Never weld without wearing the proper eye protection. If you are observer you need eye protection also.

Safety glasses don’t really help. True or False?

False. Safety glasses are possibly the single least expensive security measure that can help prevent potentially blinding injuries at the work place, home, and during sporting event. Keep safety glasses handy and use them!

My first eye exam should be in my 40’s or 50’s. True or False?

False. Several condition of childhood (amblyopia, also known as “Lazy Eye”) and adult conditions (particularly glaucoma) can begin early on in life without giving symptoms. A routine eye exam can be very helpful in detecting such conditions.

Contact lenses can be safely used when swimming. True or False?

False. Swimming in lakes, hot tubs and swimming pools can lead to eye infections that can scar the eye resulting in irreversible vision loss. Wearing contacts while swimming is not recommended.

Partially true. The cornea and the corneal endothelium of the eye can be transplanted from a donor eye. During pterygium surgeries, autograft (transplantation of tissue from other parts of the patient’s body) and amniotic donor grafts can be transplanted.

The entire eye cannot be transplanted. The eye is connected to the brain by the optic nerve, which cannot be recoupled from a donor eye.

Viewing reading material close to my eyes can damage my eye. True or False?

False. Near sighted individuals naturally hold reading materials close to the eyes and can focus effortlessly. If someone is not nearsighted and strains their eyes to see near they may experience tiredness or discomfort from eye strain. Eye strain is fatigue which will resolve after resting the eye. The focusing system of the eye is not damaged once it has been relaxed.

Daring me to a staring contest will damage my eyes. True or False?

. The focusing system of the eye does not get damaged during a staring contest. The lack of blinking activity could result in a dry cornea or ocular surface. A dry cornea could result in irritation, an abrasion, or even an infection.

If you have any questions or concerns about your eye health and would like to schedule a consultation with one of our eye doctors, please contact Westchester Eye Surgeons today.