We hear a lot of concerns in the exam room - and many of them start with, "I've always heard that..."

The truth is, there are plenty of eye myths that have been passed down for years. Some are harmless, others cause unnecessary worry, and a few might even keep people from getting the care they need. 

Let's clear things up. Here are five common eye myths we hear all the time - and what's actually true.

Myth #1: "If I'm not squinting, my vision must be fine."

This is one of the most common assumptions we hear. Many people think that as long as they're not squinting or struggling to read road signs, their eyes must doing just fine.

In reality , your eyes and brain are very good at compensating. You might be straining without realizing it, which can lead to fatigue, headachaches, or blurry vision later in the day. Some vision changes happen gradually, making them easy to miss. 

Even if you feel like you're seeing well, a comprehensive eye exam can uncover subtle changes long before they become noticeable - or uncomfortable. 

Myth #2: "Reading in dim light will ruin my eyes."

Good news: reading in low light won't permanently damage your eyes.

That said, it can make your eyes work harder. Dim lighting often causes temporary eye strain, fatigue, or headaches, especially if you're reading for long periods.Think of it like exercising a muscle - you may feel tired afterward, but you haven't caused harm.

If reading at night leaves your eyes feeling uncomfortable, better lighting can make things easier and more enjoyable. Your eyes will thank you, but they won't be "ruined" either way.

Myth #3: Wearing glasses will make my eyes weaker."

This myth has been around forever, and we completely understand why people worry about it. But rest assured: wearing glasses does not weaken your eyes. 

Glasses simply correct your vision so your eyes don't have to strain. When people stop wearing their glasses and notice things seem worse, it's actually because they've gotten used to seeing clearly - not because their eyes have changed. In face, wearing the correct prescription can reduce eye strain, headaches, and fatige, making your eyes feel better overall. 

Myth #4: Headaches are never caused by my eyes."

While not all headaches are vision - related, some absolutely are. Uncorrected prescriptions, focusing issues, eye alignment problems, and prolonged screen use can all contribute to headaches - especially those that happen later in the day or after reading or computer work. 

If headaches are frequent and seem tied to visual tasks, an eye exam can help rule out (or confirm) whether your eyes are playing a role. Sometimes, a small prescription change makes a surprisingly big difference.

Myth #5: "If I can read the eye chart, my eyes are healthy."

The eye chart is important - but it's only one small piece of the puzzle. 

You can have 20/20 vision and still have dry eye, early signs of eye disease, or changes in eye health that don't affect clarity right away. Conditions like glaucoma often have no early symptoms at all. 

That's why comprehensive eye exams look at much more than how well you read letters on a chart. They help protect not just your vision but your long - term eye health. 

The Bottom Line

Many eye myths come from good intentions- but they can cause unnecessary worry or delay care. Your eyes change over time, and regular eye exams are one of the easiest ways to stay ahead of those changes. 

If something doesn't feel quite right with your vision- or even if everything seems fine - the doctors at Koetting Eye Center are here to help answer questions, clear up concerns, and keep your eyes seeing comfortably for years to come. 

Call one of our offices today for an appointment: Brentwood (314) 863-0000 or Ellisville (636) 256-7800