Myths about the human eye have been circulating freely for centuries. Like fables and legends of antiquity, they are handed down from one generation to the next, until they pass into the realm of belief.

Blind belief in these myths can have serious repercussions. They might deprive us of fully enjoying our vision. We give you a chance to test your knowledge of the human eye. You might call it an ‘Eye-Q Test’.

Simply answer either “True” or “False” to these questions. Then scroll through the page to find out how much you really know.

• Reading in dim light will hurt your eyes.
  
• Wearing the wrong kind of glasses hurts your eyes.
  
• Using computers will not damage your eyes.
  
• Children usually outgrow crossed eyes.
  
• Eye trouble is the cause of reading disability (dyslexia).
  
• Sitting close to television can be normal.
  
• Eating carrots will improve your vision.
  
• People with weak eyes should avoid reading fine print.
  
• A cataract can be removed with a laser.
  
• A cataract must be ripe before it is removed.

Now, some answers.

• Reading in dim light will hurt your eyes. False
  Using your eyes in dim light does not damage them in any way. Not too long ago, all night-time reading and sewing was done by candlelight or with gas or kerosene lamps. However, good lighting makes reading easier and prevents fatigue.
  
• Wearing the wrong kind of glasses hurts your eyes. False
  Glasses are simply visual aids to improve vision. Eyes are neither strengthened nor weakened by glasses. Going without glasses or with the wrong kind will not hurt your eyes. The one exception is in children with crossed eyes (strabismus) or with lazy eyes (amblyopia), where glasses may strengthen the eye and preserve vision. However, it is advisable to have proper corrective glasses or contact lenses to provide optimum vision.
  
• Using computers will not damage your eyes. True
  However, prolonged periods of close work or reading may result in eye strain or fatigue. Taking a break, or looking up or across the room at frequent intervals usually relieves the strain. If your vision blurs or your eyes tire easily, make an appointment with Banaji Eyecare immediately.
  
• Children usually outgrow crossed eyes. False
  Real crossing of the eyes in children is not outgrown. A wide-bridged nose may cause the eyes to appear crossed - however, this can improve with age. To avoid seeing double, a child with crossed eyes will use only one eye at a time. The other, unused eye will never develop good vision, unless the child is forced to use it by patching the good eye. This defect may also be corrected by glasses, eye drops or surgery. Ideally, treatment at an early stage is preferred. If your child has crossed eyes, please make an appointment with the Banaji Eyecare immediately.
• Eye trouble is the cause of reading disability (dyslexia). False
  There is no scientific evidence to show that dyslexia is caused by eye trouble. Dyslexia is a learning disorder. Dyslexic children often need help from teachers and persons with special training in learning disabilities. Before such treatment is started, it is important for the child to undergo a complete medical eye examination to diagnose any correctable eye condition.
• Sitting close to television can be normal. True
  Children have a greater ability to focus up close than adults. They often develop habits of holding reading material close to their eyes or sitting close to the television. This does not damage the eyes. The habits will change as the children grow older. Occasionally, myopic children sit close to the television to enable them to see more clearly. This condition can be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist and corrected with glasses.
• Eating carrots will improve your vision. False
  While carrots are rich in Vitamin A, it is also found in other foods. Only a small amount of Vitamin A is required for vision. A well-balanced diet will provide all nutrients necessary for good vision.
• People with weak eyes should avoid reading fine print. False
  Reading fine print in those with weak eye sight does not damage the eyes at all. Spectacles and contact lenses act as aids in focusing otherwise blurred images on to the retina. As an analogy, taking pictures with a camera that is out of focus does not damage the camera itself.
• A cataract can be removed with a laser. False
  Whilst there are some lasers in development today that aid in removing cataracts, the overwhelming majority of cataracts in the world today are removed by a method known as phacoemulsification which utilises ultrasound energy.
• A cataract must be ripe before it is removed. False
  A cataract need no longer be "ripe" before removal. In fact, with today's advanced technologies, in cataract surgery, it may even be dangerous to let them advance to a stage of "ripeness".