Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [ophthalmology]

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye.

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Is it possible to cause problems to an aircraft pilot with an "over-the-counter" laser?

I've been admonished not to ever shine a laser into the night sky as it might "dazzle pilots" and potentially bring down airplanes. This seems kind of illogical for a number of reasons: If a plane is flying perpendicular to the earth, a laser from…
Naftuli Kay
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Does watching television damage the eyes?

Is there any evidence that watching television for too long or while sitting too close weakens the eyes (leading to myopia, for example) ?
Pulkit Sinha
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Do human eyes grow after birth?

My friend just assured me that when a person is born, their eyes are at the size they will be for the rest of their life, or, that they do not grow. A Google for this question shows that it has been asked many times, and has varying answers. Do…
SpellingD
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Can the human eye distinguish frame rates above 60 Hz?

I know that frame-rates above 60fps all look the same to the human eye. Is that true? Why? If so, why do graphics cards boast anything higher than that?
myusuf3
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Could an adult mind automatically adjust if a person was to wear glasses that inverted/flipped all vision?

It is known that the human eye anatomy makes it so that all images we see with our eyes are flipped upside down. Without noticing it, at an early age, the brain is adjusted to this. What I mean is that we at an adult stage don't walk around troubled…
AndroidHustle
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Is it harmful to your eyes to read in dim light?

Is there any scientific backing to the claim that reading in dim light damages your eyes? Related to: Does watching television damage the eyes?
Kit Sunde
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Does staring at the sun cause significant, permanent harm?

Of course, I think I can safely assume if an eye is left pointing directly towards sun for a long period of time it does get major damage. However, staring at the sun also hurts very quickly. That pain seems like a very natural* defense mechanism…
Ilari Kajaste
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Are nebulae colored?

The pictures of nebulae are always depicted as vividly colored and with a great variety of colors: Source Omega nebula Source Eagle nebula pillars According to the English wikipedia article on nebulae, under the section Formation, «as the material…
Alenanno
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Does wearing prescription eyeglasses weaken your eyes?

I just recently received my first pair of eyeglasses. My eye doctor stated that contrary to popular belief, that wearing the glasses will not weaken my eyes any further. However my sister-in-law went to her eye doctor just last week where her…
Scott
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Is the Bates Method for improving eyesight efficacious?

The Bates Method is often cited by people looking to avoid wearing glasses, or as an alternative to LAZIK surgery for improving/correcting eyesight. Is the method at all effective? Can eyesight truly be improved/repaired through exercise and…
blueberryfields
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Is watching television in the dark harmful to your eyes?

This is obviously related to a few answered questions already here, namely: Does watching television damage the eyes? Is it harmful to your eyes to read in dim light? But the following question is more specific, and doesn't seem to be answered:…
Brian M. Hunt
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Does eating carrots improve your eyesight?

A common belief in Sweden is that carrot improve your eyesight and I was told many times when I was little to eat carrots. Although anecdotaly I have perfect vision without carrot-gluttony. Is there any supporting evidence for that claim? Related…
Kit Sunde
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Reading while lying down is more strenuous (unhealthy) for eyes

My friend heard that reading while lying down is more strenuous (unhealthy) for eyes. I like reading in bed (books, tablet). Is there some study that confirms this hypothesis? I use two positions (looking to the book on the side or looking to the…
xralf
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Has increased computer use led to increased myopia?

According to ABC News and this Ophthalmological study there has been a significant increase in the number of people with myopic eyesight over a recent 30 year period. From the ABC article: There are multiple theories. Some say more people are now…
DuckMaestro
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Do cats and dogs only see in grayscale?

Ask most anybody about dogs or cats, and they will repeat the claim that these animals are colorblind. To most, it means greyscale. Is it true that cats (ref 2) and dogs (ref 2, ref 3) only see in grayscale? I've noticed that my cats somehow don't…
shaftpolls
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