Eye myths and trivia

• Our eyes are composed of more than two million parts, all working together to make you see.
• The giant squid has the largest eyeball on the face of the earth. At 18 inches across, it's about the size of a beach ball.
• An ant has two eyes, each of which is made up of many smaller eyes. This type of eye is called a compound eye.
• Worms don't have eyes.
• A chameleon's eyes can look in different directions - at the same time!
• Babies cry but don't produce tears until they're one to three months old.
• Each of our eyelashes has a "life span" of approximately five months.
• Of all the muscles in our body, the eye muscles are the most active.
• Dogs can't tell the difference between red and green.
• Overall, baseball causes the most eye injuries, followed by basketball, water sports and racquet sports.

Myths

Myth: Eating carrots will improve my vision

Fact: While it is true that carrots are high in Vitamin A, an essential vitamin for sight, only a small amount is necessary for good vision.

Myth: Reading in poor light will damage my sight

Fact: Reading or doing close work in poor light can be uncomfortable but it won't damage your eyesight. If there's enough light to read, then by definition there's enough light. What is true, is that as we get older we all need more light to see the same things. So, when a mum comes into her child's dimly lit room and turns the light on, saying "You can't possibly see in this light," it's because she can't see in that light!

Myth: Sitting too close to a television is bad for my eyes

Fact: It can be uncomfortable to sit too close to a television but your eyes will not be damaged by doing so. The sustained effort of continuous close-focusing can emphasise any vision defect and result in eye strain and headaches, so you should watch television at a distance that feels comfortable. It's generally only children who watch TV at six inches... they have plenty of accommodation (the facility to focus from distance to near and back again) and it doesn't do them any lasting harm.

Myth: If I don't wear glasses, I don't need to have my eyes tested

Fact: Everybody's eyesight changes over time and it's important to check for conditions such as glaucoma which can be treated easily but can be devastating if undetected. An eye test can also reveal other things about your health, including high blood pressure and diabetes. For all these reasons, The Eye Care Trust recommends everyone to have an eye test every two years, or more often for young children and people who have sight problems in the family.