1. Pink eye only happens in young children. Young kids are known for getting pink eye, on account of close contact in day care centers.The same holds true for teenagers, college students, and adults, particularly those who don’t clean their contacts properly. The best way to keep pink eye from spreading is to practice good hygiene including hand washing, not touching your eyes, and using clean towels and other products around the face.
2. Antibiotics are necessary to cure a child’s pink eye. Antibiotics are rarely needed to treat pink eye. Most cases are caused by viral infections or allergies and do not respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics may be needed for bacterial conjunctivitis, depending on severity. Mild cases of bacterial conjunctivitis usually resolve on their own within 7 to 14 days without treatment.
3. Sun is bad for the eyes. Long-term exposure to the sun without proper protection can heighten the risk of eye disease; however, some studies suggest that sun exposure is necessary for normal visual development. Children who have less sun exposure appear to have a higher risk for developing myopia or nearsightedness. It is important to ensure that they’re protected with UV-blocking sunglasses and sunscreen.
4. Blue light from screens is damaging children’s vision. Blue light is not blinding the screen-obsessed kids. However, it is true that nearsightedness is becoming more common.But blue light isn’t the culprit. We are exposed to much more blue light naturally from the sun than from our screens. It is important to take frequent breaks. The Academy recommends a 20-20-20 rule: look at an object at least 20 feet away every 20 minutes for at least 20 seconds.
5. Vision loss only happens to adults. The eyes of a child with amblyopia (lazy eye) may look normal, but the condition can steal sight if not treated. Amblyopia is when vision in one of the child’s eyes is reduced because the eye and brain are not working together properly. Strabismus (crossed eyes) is another condition that can cause vision loss in children. Strabismus is when the eyes do not line up in the same direction when focusing on an object.
6. All farsighted children need glasses. Most children are farsighted early in life. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the child needs glasses because they use their focusing muscles to provide clear vision for both distance and near vision. Children require glasses when their farsightedness blurs their vision or leads to strabismus. They will also need glasses if they are significantly more farsighted in one eye compared to the other, a condition that puts them at risk of developing amblyopia.
7. There is no difference between a vision screening and a vision exam. While it’s true that your child’s eyes should be checked regularly, a less invasive vision screening by a pediatrician, family doctor, ophthalmologist, optometrist, orthoptist or person trained in vision assessment of preschool children, is adequate for most children. If a problem is detected at the time of screening, the child may need to see an ophthalmologist or other eye care professional. A comprehensive exam involves the use of eye drops to dilate the pupil, enabling a more thorough investigation of the overall health of the eye and visual system.

(Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Aug. 5, 2019)