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Myth:\tReading in dim light is harmful to your eyes.

Fact:\tAlthough reading in dim light can make your eyes feel tired, it is not harmful.
 

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

Fact:\tEven 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:\tUsing a computer, or video display terminal (VDT), is harmful to the eyes.

Fact:\tAlthough using a VDT is associated with eyestrain or fatigue, it is not harmful to the eyes.
 

Myth:\tIf you use your eyes too much, you wear them out.

Fact:\tYou can use your eyes as much as you wish - they do not wear out.
 

Myth:\tWearing poorly-fit glasses damages your eyes.

Fact:\tAlthough a good glasses fit is required for good vision, a poor fit does not damage your eyes.
 

Myth:\tWearing poorly fit contacts does not harm your eyes.

Fact:\tPoorly 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 your ophthalmologist or optometrist if you wear contacts.
 

Myth:\tYou do not need to have your eyes checked until you are in your 40s or 50s.

Fact:\tThere are several eye diseases that do not show symptoms that are treatable (most notably glaucoma) that can begin prior to your 40s.
 

Myth:\tSafety goggles are more trouble than they are worth.

Fact:\tSafety goggles prevent many potentially blinding injuries every year. Keep goggles handy and use them!
 

Myth:\tIt's okay to swim while wearing soft contact lenses.

Fact:\tPotentially blinding eye infections can result from swimming or opening your eyes under water in a hot tub while wearing contact lenses.
 

Myth:\tChildren outgrow crossed eyes.

Fact:\tChildren 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:\tA cataract must be ripe before it can be removed.

Fact:\tWith 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: Eyes can be transplanted.

Fact:\tThe eye cannot be transplanted. It is connected to the brain by the optic nerve, which cannot be reconnected once it has been severed. The cornea, which is the clear front part of the eye, can be transplanted. Surgeons often use plastic intraocular lens implants (IOLs) to replace natural lenses removed during cataract surgery.