FDA Separates Fact from Fiction on Eye Health and Vision

We’ve all heard that carrots are good for your eyes. But is that true, or just a way to get kids to eat more veggies? In a recent publication, the FDA discussed several common perceptions related to eye health and vision in an attempt to separate fact from fiction.

We have included many of the topics discussed by the FDA below so you can test your knowledge below. We’ll start with Carrots. So is eating lots of carrots is good for your vision?

It turns out that it is a Fact. According to the FDA, “Carrots are a good food for healthy eyesight because they contain carotenoids, which are precursors of vitamin A, a nutrient important to your eyes.”

“However, a well-balanced diet can contain lots of foods that offer similar benefits, such as other darkly colored fruits and vegetables like peas and broccoli. Eating a well-balanced diet also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which makes you less likely to develop obesity-related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, the leading cause of blindness in adults.”

What about sitting too close to movie, television, and computer screens? Is that really bad for your eyes?

Not true says the FDA report. “According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), watching televisions, including flat screens, can’t cause your eyes any physical harm. The same is true for using the computer too much or watching 3-D movies. AAO says your eyes may feel more tired if you sit too close to the TV or spend a lot of time working at the computer, but you can fix that by giving your eyes a rest.”

Are laser pointers truly dangerous with the ability to cause permanent eye damage?

Yes they are says the FDA – it’s a fact. According to Dan Hewett, health promotion officer at FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, “A beam shone directly into a person’s eye can injure it in an instant, especially if the laser is a powerful one.” In fact, when operated unsafely, or without certain controls, the highly-concentrated light from lasers—even those in toys—can be dangerous, causing serious eye injuries and even blindness. And not just to the person using a laser, but to anyone within range of the laser beam.

More information related to this topic is available online from the FDA at their web site: http://www.fda.gov.