Mythbusters! Which Eye Related Old Wives Tales Are True?

eye related eye superstitions and old wives tales

Call it superstition or old wives tales if you wish, but as a society, even the most skeptical amongst us have a habit of using and reiterating sayings without necessarily having a factual basis. A personal favourite of mine is the idea that luck, itself unquantifiable, can hinge on whether or not you place new shoes on a table. It may cause you to have a giggle at some of the more ridiculous statements, but do any of those sayings handed down from generation to generation actually have any factual base or are they, as many believe simply assertions made by those in power (come on parents, how many apply to you?) to control those beneath them or under their supervision?

  1. Don't read in the dark, it will damage your eyes
    False, according to a recent report from Harrison Weisinger of Deakin University. In his expert opinion, eye strain or headaches occur when reading in poorly lit conditions due to existing eye conditions and not the environment itself, or are derived from an evolutionary perspective in that we were never designed for such activities originally. Reading is perfectly possible as long as there is enough light for the cones in the eye to receive a signal.
  2. Your eyes are the windows to the soul
    This one could prove to be a little more tricky to prove or disprove, depending on your beliefs. In years gone by however, this was common knowledge. The thoughts and beliefs also extended to the colour of the eyes themselves with dark blue eyes considered to be in the possession of delicate and refined souls whereas green determined a hardy soul.
  3. My right eye is itching. You must be in luck!
    Quite a simple one this. If your right eye begins to itch, luck is on it's way. Beware an itchy left eye however, as the opposite begins to loom. Further back in time, the saying followed a slightly different path, with an itch in your right eye being an indicator that you shall soon see love. I'll leave you to decide it's validity.
  4. Beware the mono-browed man
    Ok, so it's only very slightly eye related, but for comedic value alone it must be included.
    'Trust not the man whose eyebrows meet, For in his heart you'll find deceit.'
  5. Watching too much TV will make your eyes go square!
    We've all heard it, as children I hasten to add, however there are certain reports and studies that point to this idea not being entirely true. In a study of youths with a lazy eye condition, analysts noticed a correlation between regular use of video games for a set period of time actually help strengthen and improve their condition. On the flip side, it was also noted in Norway that a young child became cross-eyed following a viewing of a 3D cinema movie. In this case the technology triggered as opposed to causing the ailment. As far as physically square eyes go... I'll let you know if I come across any concrete proof.

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