Is Squinting Bad For Your Vision? Eye Health Myths Explained

You're probably familiar with these words of wisdom: "Don't sit too close to the TV; it's bad for your eyes," or "All that squinting is bad for your vision," and even "If you cross your eyes, they'll stay that way!" You might not be too surprised to learn these motherly statements aren't completely true-read below for some more common eye health myths.

• Squinting- bad for vision - Squinting won't hurt your eyes; it actually enhances your focus as your pupil gets smaller with the decreased amount of light. However, if you find yourself squinting frequently, it might be a sign that you need glasses or contacts to correct a refractive error (such as near-sightedness or far-sightedness).
• Sitting too close to the TV - There's no evidence that sitting too close to the TV will damage the eyes; however, it may be a sign of nearsightedness.
• If you cross your eyes , they'll stay that way - Contrary to the old saying, your eyes will not stay that way if you cross them. If you or your child can't control an eye from crossing, schedule an exam with an eye doctor.
• UV rays are only harmful in the summer sun - This is an important myth to bust! Radiation from the sun beams down regardless of the weather, and your eyes are exposed to UV rays 365 days a year. Keep your eyes protected with glasses that block UV.
• I only need to visit my eye doctor if something seems wrong - You should have a comprehensive eye exam every year, even if your eyes feel fine. Annual eye exams help protect your vision and provide insight into overall health. Diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and multiple sclerosis can be discovered during an eye exam.