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Eye Care Myths and Facts – Ophthalmology at Our East Bay and Oakland Area Office

At Batra Vision Medical Group, we provide comprehensive ophthalmology services from our East Bay and Oakland area offices based in San Leandro and Concord. From routine optometric care to advanced laser vision correction such as Wavefront™ LASIK, we take great pride in helping patients improve their vision while educating them about their eye health.

As a service to prospective patients and our current patients, we have compiled a list of 13 myths and facts concerning eye care. We encourage you to read these facts below and to contact our San Leandro and Concord ophthalmology offices serving the East Bay and Oakland area with any other questions you may have about your vision and other eye-related health concerns.

Myths and Facts About Ophthalmology

Myth

Reading in dim light is harmful to your eyes.

Fact

Although reading in dim light can make your eyes feel tired, it is not harmful.

Myth

It is not harmful to watch a welder or look at the sun if you squint, or look through narrowed eyelids.

Fact

Even if you squint, ultra-violet light still gets to your eyes, damaging the cornea, lens, and retina. Never watch welding without wearing the proper protection. Never look directly at an eclipse.

Myth

Using a computer, or video display terminal (VDT), is harmful to the eyes.

Fact

Although using a VDT is associated with eyestrain or fatigue, it is not harmful to the eyes.

Myth

If you use your eyes too much, you wear them out.

Fact

You can use your eyes as much as you wish – they do not wear out.

Myth

Wearing poorly-fit glasses damages your eyes.

Fact

Although a good fit is required for good vision with glasses, a poor fit does not damage your eyes.

Myth

Wearing poorly fit contacts does not harm your eyes.

Fact

Poorly fit contact lenses can be harmful to your cornea (the window at the front of your eye). Make certain your eyes are checked regularly by an eye doctor at our ophthalmology office if you wear contact lenses.

Myth

You do not need to have your eyes checked until you are in your 40s or 50s.

Fact

There are several asymptomatic, yet treatable, eye diseases (most notably glaucoma) that can begin prior to your 40s.

Myth

Safety goggles are more trouble than they're worth.

Fact

Safety goggles prevent many potentially blinding injuries every year. Keep goggles handy and use them.

Myth

It's okay to swim while wearing soft contact lenses.

Fact

Potentially blinding eye infections can result from swimming or using a hot tub while wearing contact lenses.

Myth

Children outgrow crossed eyes.

Fact

Children do not outgrow truly crossed eyes. A child whose eyes are misaligned has strabismus and can develop poor vision in one eye (a condition known as amblyopia) because the brain turns off the misaligned or “lazy” eye. The sooner crossed or misaligned eyes are treated, the less likely the child will have permanently impaired vision.

Myth

A cataract must be ripe before it can be removed.

Fact

With modern cataract surgery, a cataract does not have to ripen before it is removed. When a cataract keeps you from doing the things you like or need to do, consider having it removed.

Myth

Cataracts can be removed with lasers.

Fact

A cataract cannot be removed with a laser. The cloudy lens must be removed through a surgical incision. However, after cataract surgery, a membrane within the eye may become cloudy. This membrane can be opened with laser eye surgery.

Myth

Eyes can be transplanted.

Fact

The eye cannot be transplanted. It is connected to the brain by the optic nerve, which cannot be reconnected once it has been severed. A person can, however, undergo cornea transplant surgery to replace the cornea, the clear part of the eye. Surgeons often use plastic intraocular lens implants (IOLs) such as crystalens®, ReSTOR®, or ReZoom™ to replace natural lenses during cataract surgery.

To schedule an ophthalmology appointment at our East Bay and Oakland area offices, contact an ophthalmologist at Batra Vision Medical Group today.

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Batra Vision Medical Group
15051 Hesperian Blvd. Suite A
San Leandro, CA 94578
Phone: (510) 276-1212
Fax: (510) 276-1313

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