IS IT TRUE THAT WEARING GLASSES WORSENS VISION ?

We still have some myths we have not debunked yet; we will continue with Myths versus Truths in Eye Care this week. In this blog post, we will delve into the myth: “ONCE YOU START WEARING GLASSES, YOU CAN NOT SEE WITH YOUR NATURAL EYES”

Is this accurate or misleading?

Removing a pair of glasses that improves vision will result in worsened vision without the glasses; this is a basic fact. However, patients often complain that they used to manage to see clearly before getting glasses, which undeniably improved their vision. However, they no longer feel they can see clearly, attributing this change to prescribed glasses. Consequently, they conclude that glasses have harmed their vision. Now, we will explain this in detail, and we hope you will follow along every step of the way.

DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS THE BRAIN AND NOT THE EYES THAT SEES ?

It might surprise you to know that it’s the “brain”  and not the “eyes” that sees. We will discuss this individually as a topic in a subsequent post at another time.

Clear images are what the brain comprehends, so as long as the images presented to the eyes are blurry, the brain will continue to exert pressure on the eyes to clarify those images. In this scenario, the eyes have no choice but to work extra hard to produce clear photos for the brain to interpret. Therefore, an individual who sees clearly may mistakenly believe that they do not have eye problems because the eyes are working diligently to create clear images for the brain. The lingering question is, how long can the eyes continue to work under such strain or pressure?  And that is the reason people’s visual systems abruptly shut down because of frequent “overload”.

DOES WEARING GLASSES WORSEN VISION?

Now, onto the topic of Glasses; if an individual’s eyes have gotten used to working extra hard to create clear images for the brain, and suddenly it experiences relief due to the glasses obtained from the optometrist, therefore greatly relieving the eyes because a new era of “change” has arrived. Hence, they no longer undergo such strain to produce clear images for the brain.  If the clarity of vision, the eyes experienced by wearing glasses seize when they remove glasses. The eyes revert to the initial state of working excessively to produce clear images for the brain. At this point, the patient claims the glasses have worsened their vision, as it will take the eyes a long time to readjust to their original state of strain.

The bottom line is wearing glasses does not deteriorate your vision unless it is an incorrect prescription; rather, it alleviates the strain on the eyes, which otherwise may result in severe consequences. We hope you comprehend the reality behind this myth.

We will stop here so that you can thoroughly absorb this information. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns.  To get your correct prescriptions and obtain glasses from an Optometrist, visit TREETOP VISION EYE CENTRE (TREVEC), the best eye clinic in Utako Abuja.

TREVEC CARES!!!