eyesight damage from hair covering an eye?

[solidarity]

Hey,
I was at an optometrist the other day, who informed me that my vision from my right eye has decreased by 60% (permanently) over the past two years because i have hair covering it.. And further telling me that I should get my hair cut.

So I suppose my question is, if this is entirely accurate, and that my eyes would be permanently damaged because of my long hippie-esque hair?

[SJMom]

My daughter's optometrist told her the same thing.  He said the eye that is covered will just be focused on the hair while the other eye is left to do all of the work.  I was shocked too, but it seems to make sense.  Now she has started this blinking tic, so I really want her to get her hair out of her face.

[Youthinkso99]

No hair does not damage your eyesight. It is only if you 8 years and younger because your visual system is still developing. Your eyelashes also protect your eyes from mostly anything. They say how it will damage your eyes because your hair has bacteria that can get into your eyes and cause an eye infection but again, your eyelashes will protect you and also if your hair is clean and healthy than you'll be fine. To continue, it can only harm vision if you respond to it with stress and strain therefore, you must keep your visual system in a connective, relaxed way with plenty of movement and that will also strengthen your eye sight. The most long hair can do is irritate your eyes by getting in the way of seeing certain objects. Believe me I have long hair and my hair quite thin so it's not irritating.

[solidarity]

Thanks for your help, it seemed a bit strange to me as well.

I'll have it checked out! (Though I don't live in the US, I'm sure I can dig up one of these ophthalmologists around here somewhere)

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I've never "hair-ed" of such a thing. See a Eye MD physician-ophthalmologist for another opinion. Find one at www.aao.org   That is indeed strange.

JCH III MD