The Internet, sellers of dietary supplements and the media create new stories in the field of ophthalmological fiction, and it is difficult for an ordinary person without special education to understand what is true and what is not worth believing. In this text, our doctors debunk the most popular misconceptions based on data from international studies.

Glasses spoil your eyesight

Many people believe that if you put on glasses, your vision will become even worse. Ostensibly the eye muscles stop working. This is speculation. Correctly selected glasses change the refractive power of the eye and direct the rays strictly to the retina, as it should be in a well-functioning optical system. Eyes will not recover without glasses, on the contrary, vision will deteriorate, since the brain does not receive enough visual information. In children, this situation can provoke amblyopia – the lazy eye syndrome.  

With age, “minus” will turn into “plus”

Nearsighted patients believe that their diagnosis will disappear after 40 years. This is not entirely true. Myopia is usually caused by the length of the eye, which does not decrease over time. But the ciliary muscle weakens with age, the lens becomes less elastic, which together affects the accommodation of the eye – the ability to see equally well at different distances. Presbyopia, or senile farsightedness, develops , that is, the person sees worse up close and is forced to wear additional reading glasses.   

Laser correction only corrects myopia

Most people are sure that laser vision correction only helps to get rid of myopia, but in reality this is not the case. The HD-LASIK correction method, which is used in our clinic, can correct not only myopia, but also hyperopia and astigmatism. At the same time, HD-LASIK is an improved version of the already proven LASIK technology. The main difference is the achievement of even greater clarity of vision, higher contrast and better recognition of details at twilight or in low light. And the operation time is only 10 minutes!     

Eye hurts due to high intraocular pressure

Elevated IOP is not the only cause of pain. It all depends on the severity and localization of pain, accompanying symptoms. So, a burning sensation, a feeling of sand in the eyes, redness of the eyelid, speak of a possible “dry eye” syndrome. Lacrimation accompanying pain indicates a number of disorders: from corneal injuries to photokeratitis. Almost any ophthalmic pathology and trauma causes painful sensations. Sometimes the cause isn’t even related to the visual system. SARS, complicated by inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, or sinusitis respond with pain in the eye. The only correct solution for such a symptom is to contact an ophthalmologist who will conduct a competent diagnosis.  

I have such poor eyesight that correction will not help.

For some reason, many are sure that with a large minus, laser correction will not be able to help. However, the truth is that modern excimer lasers are effective at correcting errors in the optics of the eye. In our clinic, for example, the TENEO 317 laser system used for vision correction returns vision even with high degrees of impairment and with a complex corneal structure: with myopia up to -15.0 diopters, hyperopia up to +6.0 and astigmatism up to 6.0 diopters.

All manipulations are carried out using the HD LASIK technique , so the laser acts on the inner layers of the cornea and creates the effect of an ideal lens, which provides high-definition images. We can also perform operations on the thin cornea and correction of age-related changes in vision. 

TV spoils your eyesight

This myth is fueled by the theory of the dangers of blue light emanating from the screens of gadgets, TVs, LED lamps. However, there are no large-scale studies confirming the negative effect of this radiation on the retina.

Another argument against watching TV is the risk of developing myopia, which is also somewhat exaggerated. Working at close range with great tension of the eye muscles actually lengthens the eyeball, which in turn aggravates myopia. But if you watch TV at the recommended distance of 3 m, your eyes work without strain. Unpleasant sensations are caused, as a rule, by the syndrome of “dry eye”, which is eliminated by special drops selected by the doctor. 

Laser vision correction can only be done after childbirth

Women fear that the hormonal changes that their body undergoes during pregnancy and lactation will negate the results of the operation. These worries are in vain. Changes in the optical system in pregnant women are reversible. However, ophthalmologists do not recommend laser surgery to pregnant or nursing mothers, as it is fraught with overcorrection. Hormones also affect the recovery process. Doctors advise to wait a few months after completing breastfeeding before going to the surgeon.  

You cannot give birth with high myopia on your own

This is another misconception that forces women to abandon natural childbirth. Yes, an increase in the minus or its appearance during pregnancy is possible. This is, as a rule, a physiological phenomenon caused by hormonal changes in the body. It disappears without a trace after childbirth and completion of lactation. Poor vision in itself is not an indication for a cesarean section. Before recommending this, the ophthalmologist must assess the condition of the retina, the presence of dystrophic changes, and understand whether they threaten with retinal rupture or detachment. If there is no such risk, the woman can give birth on her own. Even if there is mild dystrophy, laser coagulation will strengthen the retina. 

To carry out laser vision correction, you need to take a sick leave or vacation

A very common misconception is associated with the fact that many consider laser vision correction an operation, after which you need to move away from anesthesia for several hours and recover for a couple of days while lying in bed. In reality, the visit to the clinic and the operation itself will take only a few hours and will hardly affect your usual lifestyle and daily routine. Of course, you will encounter certain limitations, but they are much less significant than many people think.  

See for yourself: the operation itself – vision correction, which is performed in our clinic using the TENEO 317 laser, takes less than 10 minutes for both eyes. At the same time, within 30-40 minutes after the manipulation, many patients begin to see better than they saw before the operation. After 2 hours, the feeling of discomfort usually disappears, the vision becomes clear and contrasting. After the operation, the patient is examined by a doctor, who prescribes special drops and is allowed to go home. Full recovery occurs on day 2-3  

The cause of recurrent chalazion is problems with the gastrointestinal tract, dysbiosis, worms

There are no studies confirming a causal relationship between gastroenterological pathologies, diet and chronic chalazion. The main cause of inflammation is improper eyelid hygiene or ineffective blepharitis treatment. Therefore, you need to go to an ophthalmologist for help, and not to a gastroenterologist.  

To prevent vision problems, you need to take vitamins, eat blueberries, carrots

The vitamins, tannins and carotenoids found in berries and vegetables are really essential for the nutrition of the retina. But in order to provide the light-sensitive membrane of the eye with carotenoids, you will have to eat 2 kg of blueberries daily, filling it with sour cream, milk or other fat-containing products. And even in this case, the berry diet will not eliminate the existing problems, since other factors influence the course of myopia, astigmatism, cataracts and glaucoma . But on the general state of health, an abundance of fruits and vegetables will have a beneficial effect.     

Do not play sports after laser vision correction

It is advisable to limit physical activity only in the first days after the operation, then the procedure itself does not impose any restrictions. NASA even recommends to pilots with myopia to do laser vision correction and after a year is ready to accept their documents for consideration. 

The only exception applies to people with chronic diseases and possible contraindications, therefore, before the appointment of an operation, each patient must undergo a thorough examination. Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor individually informs about the possible risks, if any.