Frequently Asked Questions about Eye Health

Remember when your parents used to warn you not to squint your eyes or else they’ll remain that way forever? Or, the times when they told you not to sit too close to the screen? Eye health has many myths associated with it, some of which may have a tinge of truth to them, and some which are outright false.

So, here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding eye care, which will help you separate misconceptions and actual eye problems that require a visit to the nearest eye care center.

1. As You Age, Should You Schedule Eye Check-Ups More Frequently?

You see, as you age, the strength of your eyesight begins waning. Not to mention, you also grow more susceptible to serious eye conditions like cataracts and glaucoma. And these are best treated in the early stages. You don’t want to be late in getting diagnosed, as you run the risk of irreversibility.

The best way to keep in touch with your eyes and maintain proper eye health is through regular eye check-ups. So, yes, as you grow older, you must increase the frequency of eye examinations.

If you are overdue, you could run a simple Google search, “Ophthalmologist near me,” and you’ll get the relevant results. Or, you could opt for Arohi Eye Hospital to get all your eye-related needs sorted.

2. Can Exposure to Sunlight Cause Cataracts?

It’s widely known that extended exposure to sunlight causes skin conditions. However, it also leads to eye-related problems, the most worrisome of which are cataracts.

But how? Well, due to oxidative stress. It refers to harmful chemical reactions that take place when our cells consume oxygen to produce energy. It’s an ill-fated consequence of living, which is also a major contributor to normal age-related diseases, including cataract formation in the lens.

That’s why it’s best to wear UV-blocking glasses every time you step outdoors on a sunny day. Doing so will help you maintain your eye health.

3. Will Looking Straight at Sun Damage my Eyes

If you’ve ever looked straight at the sun, you know that it distorts the vision temporarily. Well, apart from these fleeting problems, direct exposure to sunlight also causes permanent issues. Any exposure to sunlight accumulates the effects of UV radiation over time.
This can be associated with many eye disorders, such as corneal dystrophies, solar retinitis, and macular degeneration.

However, a majority of these can be resolved using LASER eye treatment. If you’re thinking of undergoing a LASIK or other laser-related treatment for your eyes, Arohi Eye Hospital is the place to be.

4. Does Watching TV or Screens from Up Close Damage the Eyes?

Children spend more time than ever staring at digital screens—on computers, tablets, TVs, smartphones, and other devices. All that screen time can take a toll on children’s well-being, including how their eyes may feel, and cause many eye health problems.

Problems Encountered
Eye strain, blurring of vision, dry eyes

What Can Parents Do?

Monitor screen time, avoid exposure to screens for 1 hour before going to bed,

Positioning device screens based on the 1/2/10 rule: mobile phones ideally at one foot, desktop devices and laptops at two feet, and roughly 10 feet for TV screens

Outside play can also be a great “workout” for children’s vision—giving them a chance to focus at different distances and getting exposure to natural sunlight.

Take frequent breaks. 20/20/20 rule: look away from the screen every 20 minutes, and focus on an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds.

Encourage your child to try to blink extra, especially when they take breaks.

However, if your child is having blurry vision or similar eye problems, he or she may not speak up. That’s why regular vision screenings at an eye care center are important.

Reading in Dim Light Can Ruin Your Eyes

It is possible to trigger eye strain by reading in dim light, caused by overexerting our eye muscles in order to see the words on the page clearly. In turn, eye strain can also lead to dry eyes, and pain in the eyes.

However, none of these side effects will have a permanent effect on your eyes or your vision.

Now it should be noted that people who read a lot or otherwise focus on things close up for long periods of time, such as people who work on computers all day or do a lot of sewing or the like, do have a higher tendency to develop myopia (nearsightedness)

However, if your child is suffering from any vision-relation issues, that you may feel is tied to the screen-time, you can consult our paediatric ophthalmology experts at Arohi Eye Hospital.

In Closing

So, these are some commonly peddled myths and everyday questions related to eye care.

For any more eye-related information, feel free to visit us at Arohi Eye Hospital. Or, you can even get in touch over the phone to learn more about our services.