Myth: Using a computer is harmful to your eyesight
Previously, the use of cathode ray tubes in monitors had a negative impact on eye health, causing frequent headaches and migraines. Regular flickering of the screen, even during short-term use, caused eye irritation.
Today, most new devices come with LCD screens, which are considered eye-safe. However, the visual system is still affected by various factors, such as low screen brightness, contrast, small print, and long periods of use.
Users often develop computer vision syndrome, which results in symptoms such as dry, irritated, gritty eyes, decreased vision clarity, photophobia, and red eyes. The list of possible consequences also includes myopia, which can occur in people with a predisposition to this disease.
To reduce the negative impact of the computer on vision, it is recommended to monitor your posture, ensuring that your knees and elbows are bent at right angles, and also perform eye exercises during breaks.
Myth: Using a dark theme in browsers and applications is safer for your eyesight
There is no conclusive evidence that a dark theme is harmful or safer for the eyes compared to a light theme. However, ophthalmologists recommend using a light mode during the day and a dark mode in the evening.
Dark mode may promote better sleep because the lack of light on the retina stimulates the production of melatonin, which helps you fall asleep. Using technology an hour or two before bed can make it harder to fall asleep and cause poor quality sleep, so a dark theme can help trick the body into stimulating melatonin production.
Dark mode can also reduce eye strain. Long-term use of gadgets often causes eye discomfort such as dryness, blurred vision and headaches due to infrequent blinking while looking at the screen.
The main criterion when choosing a theme should be user preferences.
Myth: Constantly wearing glasses worsens your vision
There is a common misconception that when wearing glasses for a long time, the eye muscles weaken and vision becomes less effective. However, if the glasses are correctly selected and correspond to the degree of myopia or farsightedness recommended by an ophthalmologist for daily wear, then they will not lead to vision impairment.
In order to choose the right glasses, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive eye examination, including cycloplegia, which allows you to determine clinical refraction. This is especially important in childhood, when vision is at the stage of formation.
Incorrect selection of glasses occurs quite often due to inadequate eye examination. Glass selection methods in optical shops are often simplified, which can lead to errors in prescriptions and cause discomfort when wearing glasses.
Myth: Blue light protection glasses for computer use will save your eyes
Glasses that are designed to block blue light are mainly part of a marketing strategy. Although there are many medical studies on their effectiveness, we still do not have conclusive data.
When working at a computer, it is much more important to maintain the correct eye regime and take regular breaks: it is advisable to take a few minutes off the screen every half hour. It will help to do some eye exercises, such as blinking more often, looking out the window or taking short walks to vary the focus of your eyes.
Although eye exercises will not correct poor vision, they may be useful for visual fatigue syndromes or spasms of accommodation. However, the key here is regularity: regular exercise can improve blood circulation in the eye vessels and help prevent eye fatigue and computer syndrome.
Myth: Daily contact lenses can be worn for several days in a row
Wearing daily contact lenses for several days can cause significant discomfort and even lead to the development of inflammatory processes. Unlike reusable lenses, daily contact lenses are more hygienic and convenient to use. If you wear lenses not every day, but alternate them with glasses, then a package of daily lenses can last as long as necessary.
In the case of reusable lenses, there is no such flexibility: after the first use, they have a certain service life, after which they require replacement. While falling asleep in contact lenses likely won’t cause any serious consequences (assuming your eyes are healthy), the practice should be the exception, not the rule.
For those who use contact lenses for a long time, it is recommended to take periodic breaks of a week or two weeks to allow the cornea to recover. It is important to remove your lenses when you return home so your eyes can rest. When using contact lenses as your main means of vision correction should also have spare glasses.