Myth... Wearing glasses tends to weaken the eyes.

Fact... People who have been able to read easily close up without glasses may find that they cannot do so as they get older (past 40). When they begin to need stronger and stronger glasses, they may assume that wearing glasses has "ruined" their eyes. In actuality, they are experiencing a normal condition called presbyopia - the inability of the aging eye to focus on near objects.

When children become nearsighted (myopic), usually between the ages of 8 and 12, there is a natural progression in their myopia and a need for a stronger correction over the next few years. These children, as well as nearsighted adults, may believe that glasses have weakened their eyes when their lens prescription needs to be made stronge. Glasses, hovever, do no weaken eyes; they are simply aids to improve vision.

Myth... Eating carrots will improve your vision.

Fact... You may have been skeptical about this as a child! This myth possibly originated because carrots contain vitamin A, which is necessary for sight. However, the vitamin A in carrots alone - while nutritional - has relatively little effect on improving vision.

© 1990 The University of Illinois at Chicago