Myth Of The Month

No matter how many times Mom warned you about this, it's simply not true, says Marguerite McDonald, M.D., a clinical professor of ophthalmology at Tulane University Health Sciences Center. "Reading in poor lighting will not physically change the eye in any way," she says. "The reason for this misconception is that bright light actually enhances your ability to read because it constricts the pupil, making it easier to focus and see clearly." Younger women may read in dim light for hours on end without any serious consequences, says McDonald. But once you hit your early 40s, this habit may have other effects, such as short-term tension headaches and tired eyes. The reason: "The eye lens becomes more opaque and less flexible as you get older, which makes it difficult to see things at close range to begin with, let alone in poor lighting," she says. "Eventually we'll all need a bright lamp in order to curl up with a good book."

Shape, Jun2007