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Jan 24, 2025

Dispelling eye health myths seen on social media

By Dagny Zhu, MD

The contents of this article are informational only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. This editorial presents the views and experiences of the author and does not reflect the opinions or recommendations of the publisher of Ophthalmology 360.

More than 5 billion people used social media worldwide in 2024, and this number is projected to grow to over 6 billion in 2028.1 The health care industry is impacted by this trend since nearly 70% of people surveyed reported that the internet was the first place they turned for their most recent health information search.2

As the use of social media grows, misinformation is increasing. A recent study of popular ophthalmology content on TikTok indicated that a significant portion of this content is created by non-eye care providers and contains misinformation.3

In the past, I often found untruths in ophthalmology-related social media posts to be minor, though lately, I have seen more blatant misrepresentations. There are drops advertised to magically cure floaters, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Methods to naturally reduce your eyeglass prescription are promoted regularly, as are drops to change eye color. A recent trend presented blow dryers as good tools to curl eyelashes.

Patients who are exposed to this inaccurate information may use ineffective or even harmful products. Their trust in health care providers can be eroded, leading to avoidance or postponement of treatment, and they may become confused about preventative measures.

Sometimes, false hype leads doctors and patients to dismiss a topic even when it is worth consideration. There are exaggerated claims about the dangers of blue light on social media, for example, many stemming from laboratory studies that evaluated acute exposure to high-intensity blue light, rather than the blue light in an everyday environment. This hype leads many health care providers to entirely dismiss potential risks associated with blue light, when in reality, it can disrupt circadian rhythms by suppressing melatonin,4 leading to sleep disturbances, and it has been shown to cause oxidative stress, potentially damaging ocular tissue.5

As a LASIK refractive surgeon, anti-LASIK and anti-refractive surgery myths are the false statements on social media that affect my practice the most. There are claims that LASIK is bad for everyone, that it will result in chronic dry eye for life, and that there is a high risk of blindness. I often have patients come in interested in refractive surgery but a little scared because they have seen these claims online……

Read more or listen to the article: https://ophthalmology360.com/ocular-surface-disease/dispelling-eye-health-myths-seen-on-social-media/

Source: Ophthalmology 360

Disclaimer: This article is from our friends at Ophthalmology 360 and the content belongs to them.

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