Dr. Gonzalez, specialist in Ophthalmology at the Ophtalteam Clinic in Madrid, writes an article about 9 myths and statements that affect the eye health of any person. Throughout the text, the doctor disproves some phrases such as that pressure on the eye causes effusion, or on the contrary, he states that a dry eye causes constant tearing.
1. “The use of screens can damage the eyes”.
Using the computer, cell phone or any other type of digital devices for a prolonged time causes the person to blink less frequently, and favors the evaporation of the tear that coats the eye. This can lead to dryness and symptoms such as heaviness, tiredness, irritation and redness. It is not the computer itself that causes damage to our eyesight due to its radiation, as many believe. People with refractive defects (especially hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia-tired vision) should have their prescription checked periodically and have an ophthalmologic check-up, since an incorrect prescription can favor symptoms of eyestrain and cause eye and headaches.
2. “Eyes wear out if you use them too much”.
If your eyes are healthy, you take care of them, and you perform regular ophthalmologic controls, they will be able to stay that way for a good part of your life. Stopping reading or working with them will not help or harm your eyesight.
3. “Getting used to glasses increases your prescription”.
In general, this statement is not true. The role of glasses or contact lenses is to bring the focus of the previously unfocused image to the retina. When they are removed, they simply cease to perform their function. The use or not of contact lenses will not influence the problem to increase or decrease, there are only some cases of myopia in which the use of contact lenses can stop it, but only in some cases that it progresses. In the case of presbyopia or tired eyes, the use of glasses when necessary does not favor an early increase of the graduation.
4. “If I have vision problems, my children will inherit it”.
Unfortunately in many cases this is true. Especially in cases of high myopia and hyperopia and diseases with a high genetic load such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.
5. “Through the eyes you can detect if you have a disease”.
True, there are people who are unaware of being diabetic or suffering from hypertension, lupus or other systemic pathologies and an ophthalmological examination identifies that they suffer from any of these diseases.
6. “If I have laser eye surgery in the future I won’t be able to have cataract surgery.”
This statement is totally false. Cataract surgery is being performed more and more frequently on patients who have previously undergone laser refractive surgery in the past. Moreover, with the new excimer (Amaris) and femtosecond (Intralase) lasers, surgery is much safer and the results are more precise and reliable.
7. “Constant tearing may be a consequence of dry eye”.
Contrary to what many people think, one of the most frequent symptoms of dry eye is a constant and uncomfortable tearing, therefore this statement is true. This occurs when the eye, in order to compensate for the lack of tears or as a response to irritation, increases the production of tears that overflow. To solve this problem, artificial tears (eye surface lubricating drops) can be used periodically.
This phrase is a myth, effusions or hyposphagmas are produced by the rupture of a small blood vessel of the ocular surface (conjunctiva), they are usually caused as a consequence of a blow or rubbing, physical efforts (coughing, lifting weights) and by punctual elevations of blood pressure, but in no case are they related to the elevation of intraocular pressure or glaucoma.
9. “I have a family history of glaucoma, how can I prevent it”.
Glaucoma is generally a chronic and asymptomatic disease, that is, it does not produce visual alterations or ocular discomfort until very late in the disease. In many cases it is related to an increase in intraocular pressure (which does not usually cause symptoms either) although there are cases that present normal ocular pressure. Therefore, the only way to detect this pathology is to visit the ophthalmologist periodically after the age of 35-40 years for a complete examination and complementary tests, if necessary. In those cases with elevated intraocular pressure, the only possible treatment is to reduce the pressure with eye drops, and if these fail, laser techniques or surgery can be used. There are cases in which cataract surgery may favor a decrease in intraocular pressure and it is not uncommon to withdraw treatments after surgery.