The eyes are an amazing organ, the most complex organ after the brain! An eye is composed of over two million working parts. 80 percent of our memories are determined by what we see! The muscles that control your eyes are the most active muscles in your body.

World Health Day, celebrated on 8th October 2015, is an important opportunity to think about eye care and eye health. Approximately 285 million people worldwide live with low vision and blindness, and of these, 39 million people are blind. 80 percent of visual impairment is avoidable or preventable. We hear a lot of myths around eye health, so we’ve put together a list to show you what’s really true about your eyes.

Reading in dim light is harmful for your eyes
FALSE. Using your eyes in dim light does not cause damage. However, good lighting makes for easier reading and can prevent your eyes from tiring.

People with weak eyes should not read fine print
FALSE. Focusing on intricate details or reading fine print does not damage eye. Eyes are like a camera and using them to photograph fine details won’t wear them out.

It is safe to look directly into the sun while wearing sunglasses
FALSE. You shouldn’t ever stare directly at the sun, with our without sunglasses. The sun’s ultra-violet rays can damage our retina, cornea or lens, and there are no sunglass lenses strong enough to completely protect your eyes from UV rays. 

Computers cause damage to your eyes.
FALSE. Working on computers for long doesn’t harm your eyes. However, using computers for long periods of time can cause you to blink less often, so you may experience dryness of your eyes. 

Wearing glasses will make you dependant on them
FALSE. Glasses do not cause deterioration of your eyesight; they are just a tool to help you see better. 

Sitting too close to the TV is bad for your eyes
FALSE. Just like reading in the dark, sitting too close to the TV may cause headaches or discomfort, but will not permanently damage your eyesight. If anything, sitting too close to the TV may indicate that you have trouble seeing. 

Carrots are good for your eyes
TRUE. Although carrots don’t improve your vision, they are packed with vitamins and nutrients that are essential for optimal eye health.  Carrots also don’t make you see in the dark, but they can help your night vision, but only to the point of an ordinarily healthy person. They are a source of vitamin A, which is required for your body to synthesise rhodopsin, the pigment in your eyes that operates in low-light conditions. 

We inherit bad eyesight from our parents
TRUE. Many causes of bad vision are genetic, but not guaranteed. Eye conditions which are inheritable include cataracts, glaucoma and strabismus.

Vision loss is unpreventable
TRUE AND FALSE. It is normal for our vision to change and sometimes deteriorate as we age. With that said, there are ways we can help our bodies to maintain good eye health for as long as possible. A healthy lifestyle involving exercise and nutrient filled foods in combination with regular eye exams can help prolong our years of healthy vision.

You don’t need an eye exam if you can see well
FALSE. Even though it’s a good sign if you don’t have sight issues, it’s still good to have regular eye exams. There are some eye conditions that do not have obvious symptoms, and comprehensive eye exams can help to detect complications before it’s too late.

Tips for healthy eyes
1. Eat a nutrient-rich diet that includes foods such as leafy greens, salmon and oily fish, eggs, nuts and non-meat protein sources, and orange or citrus fruits, where possible.

2. Wear sunglasses that have UVA and UVB protection to lower your eyes’ exposure to UV rays. Don’t forget to make sure your kids wear sunglasses, too!

3. If you’re spending long periods of time in front of a computer screen, give yourself breaks to look away or spend time away from the screen, to rest your eyes.

4. Quit smoking. Smokers can be more likely to get cataracts, optic nerve damage and macular degeneration.

5. Use safety eyewear if you work with hazardous or airborne materials, or if you play sports such as hockey and lacrosse that can lead to eye injury.