We are exposed to so much misinformation. Below are a few myths about glasses that I hear all the time. Let’s check our facts and expose a few misconceptions:
“Wearing glasses will make your eyes weaker”
The “make your eyes weaker” comment is often followed by this one that is also untrue, “I make my eye muscles stronger by not wearing my glasses.” Not true, you keep things blurry by not wearing your glasses and the eye muscles do not get stronger. In most cases people need glasses because of the size and shape of the eye. Exercising eye muscles will not change the anatomy of the eyeball. The second cause of blurry vision, particularly for reading small text, is presbyopia. Presbyopia occurs in everyone between the age of 40 to 50. The cause of presbyopia has more to do with the flexibility of the crystalline lens than the muscles responsible for accommodation. Before the age of 40, the lens of the eye focuses light much like the lens of a camera. After age 40, the proteins of the lens become less flexible and the ability to focus diminishes.
It is true that if you wear glasses all day, it will look blurry when you take them off. The eyes aren’t worse, the glasses provided a relaxed clear view of the world, without them, the world is blurry again.
“Your eyes will get worse if you don’t wear glasses”
Unfortunately, glasses won’t prevent your vision from getting worse. And glasses won’t make your eyes better. What glasses and contact lenses do is provide comfortable clear vision. Not wearing the proper vision correction can contribute to eyestrain. Extended periods of time viewing digital screens, and driving without the proper prescription can make the eyes tired and achy.
“Over-the-Counter reading glasses work as well as prescription eyewear”
Sometimes this can be true. In fact, I will recommend OTC reading glasses in particular situations. OTC readers or “cheaters,” are intended for magnification and that’s what they do, magnify small print. This works fine if both eyes are the same and there isn’t any astigmatism. But, when the need for stronger magnification power occurs, the distortion in the cheaters becomes a factor. Most of the OTC readers are of non-ophthalmic quality (making them less expensive). In stronger powers the placement of the optic center of the lens becomes more important so that double vision, eyestrain and distortion can be avoided.
My biggest concern about non-prescription reading glasses is that an eye exam is being avoided. Wearing a pair of reading glasses may solve the symptom of blurry vision, but it doesn’t address more serious issues such as glaucoma which has no symptoms until vision is permanently lost. Other ocular health concerns that typically don’t have visual symptoms until damage has been done include blood vessel changes due to hypertension and diabetes. A comprehensive eye examination can detect sight threatening conditions and early intervention can prevent vision loss. Following a thorough eye examination a discussion about appropriate glasses may include an OTC option.
The take home point (and truth) are that regular eye examinations are important for clear, comfortable vision. Schedule your appointment online.