subject: Facts About Eye Cataracts [print this page] We hear about it but knowing what exactly eye cataracts are can help you with prevention. Cataracts symptoms can range from blurred vision, dull colour and long distance vision issues. Often the symptoms will creep up slowly so you might not notice until it is too late. If you want to ask what is a cataract then feel free to talk to your doctor about ways to help improve eyesight and hopefully prevent any eye diseases. We all appreciate our eyesight but it is one sense that perhaps some of us do not appreciate quite enough or even think about until something goes wrong. With so many medical advances in eye health and eye surgery, complaints or ailments that might have been a big deal in the past are now easily treated.
Too often we hear many myths about our eyes and eye health, so we thought we would try and sort a few facts from fiction. Many myths or old wives tales have sprung up as excuses or ways to make sense of things. And some actually have some element of truth to them but over the years may have been exaggerated. For example we have all been told that carrots help you to see in the dark and that staring at the TV for too long can damage your eyes but many of us do not really know if this is true or not.
Here are some common eye health myths.
Carrots make you see in the dark
Well carrots do contain Vitamin A which is great for eye health but there is no need to start crunching on a bag a day in the hope of seeing in the dark. This one was started in World War II to cover up advances in technology from the enemy and encourage people to grow their own foods during rationing. Pretty clever myth really. Eating carrots as well as other vitamin rich foods will help with eyesight and can help prevent or slow down the development of cataracts but there are also many other factors to consider.
Too long on the computer can damage your eyes
While hours spent staring at a computer screen will not make you go blind, it is not recommended to go for long periods without breaks. Your eyes may become dryer when looking at a computer screen and you may experience eye strain, so take a break and look away occasionally.
Wearing the wrong glasses
Wearing the wrong glasses, such as a friend or family members will not technically damage the eyes but it will tire them out and you will not get the benefits that you would get if you wore the correct glasses. So it really would make sense to ensure that if you are going to wear glasses, you wear the right ones for your eyes.
Poor eyesight is hereditary
This is actually one of the myths with some truth behind it, although it might not be as bad as it first sounds. If parents have poor eyesight there is no guarantee that their children will too, it is just more likely, but not a foregone conclusion. Secondly, the issue that you experience may not be experienced as much by any children, so it might be there but in a lesser form. The best advice here is to speak to your doctor if you have concerns.
Sitting too close to the TV is bad for your eyes
Well, a lot of parents might like to believe this one as it gives them leverage to get the kids away from the box and doing other things but really, there is no evidence to support this claim. Kids should probably limit the amount of hours spent in front of the TV for many reasons, not just potential eye strain, but doing more active things is better for overall health.
So there you go, hopefully some common myths have been sorted out once and for all. Eye cataracts can crop up at any time, and can affect healthy people just as much. The best things to do for yourself and the health of your family if you are worried would be to follow some simple eye health guidelines, be aware of the cataracts symptoms and ask your doctor what is a cataract for more information.
