June 1, 2015 
Most parents believe many misconceptions when it comes to their children and healthy eyes. “For better vision eat carrots” or “Do not sit too close to the TV, it will worsen your vision” are some of the most common myths that we had to listen from our parents. Find out the truth from the mouths of experts!
Myth # 1: Watching TV close-up impairs vision.
Today this mislead could be extended to computer games as well, which children consumate even more than TV nowadays. According to recent data, children spend four hours a day in front of a computer. Long hours playing video games can negatively affect the social interaction of the child or interfere with the time needed to solve homework. However, it will not permanently damage the vision of your child.
“If a child is sitting too close to the TV or computer, it’s probably because he or she needs glasses to see better. Sitting close to the screen will not create the need for glasses,” says Dr. Mark Borchert.
To prevent myopia, make sure that your child does not watch television in the dark. If much time is spent on the computer, the child should rise up every 20 minutes and stare into the distance for a minute. In this way the muscles used for viewing objects that are close will rest.
Myth # 2: Eat carrots, you will see better!
Carrots contain vitamin A, which is the key ingredient to your diet, but large amounts of carrots will not improve the vision of your children. This myth occured due to the therapy of the “night blindness”, which is caused by the lack of vitamin A.
Myth No. 3: The children are too young for contact lenses.
Children of any age, even babies can wear lenses without any difficulty. As the youngest are clumsy, the parent should put the lenses under the eyelids, and worry about their removal and cleaning. Doctors say that children older than ten years can manage to follow these instructions without the help of parents, but it depends on each child separately. If your child is playful and not very responsible, you will have to take care of his lenses.
Myth # 4: You cannot force a child to wear sunglasses.
The sun’s rays damage the eyes, and 70 percent more of UV rays reaches the children’s eye lenses. Therefore, it is extremely important that your children wear sunglasses. Most opticians offer special children’s line that have colorful frames and safety laces. “Bribe” them with cases of their favorite cartoon character or super hero.
Author: K. Horvat, Taken from: www.ordinacija.hr