The Eyes Have It
Have you ever wondered how the eyes function? Keep in mind that vision varies by species: insects see through eyes with many facets, dogs only see in black and white, and, dolphins, unlike humans, can see perfectly under water. Human eyes are an extension of the brain.
Eyewitness
Your eyes may not work like you think they do: for starters, you view the world upside down and your brain interprets the image as if you saw it correctly. Secondly, you don’t see what you think you see. That is, your eyes are “sensors” that detect radiation emitted in the form of light. The color that is reflected by an object is detected and transmitted to your brain for interpretation. In other words, you sense the radiation wavelength (color) emitted from objects. The back of the eye on the retina senses the radiation.
Eye Design and Genetic Factors
Most people haven’t considered the genetic reasons for eye design. Thin or slanted lids originated in areas of extremely strong sunlight to shade the eyes and decrease the amount of direct light that the eyes filter. The pigment that colors everyone’s eyes is actually the same color. The amount of pigment released determines the visible color of your eyes. Darker eyes have more protection the sun’s rays. Fatty deposits that may cause discolorations of the sclera (the tough white outer membrane that covers the eyeball) appear brown, red or even yellow, and are caused by a person’s genes.
Made In The Shades
Since all light is a form of radiation, your eyes always need to be protected. When you are in the sun, you should always wear ultra violet protected lenses that have a dark color — only gray or green lenses allow you to see naturally. Red or orange lenses are very tiring for your eyes. After looking through red lenses for a few minutes, images will not appear red anymore. That is due to the fact that you have depleted the chemicals in your eyes needed to see red. Ultra violet protected lenses with an anti-reflective coating should also be worn if you work with computers. And if you are in hazardous conditions, you should wear impact resistant lenses.
Under Wraps
When you are out having fun in the sun, always remember to protect your eyes. There are glasses available for any and everything you can imagine including special dark glasses with blinders for mountain climbing, loupes (a type of small magnifying glass) to magnify small things like stamps or small collectables. If you swim, prescribed lenses may help you. Even pilots need special glasses for harsh flying conditions.
Remember these eye care tips:
- Always wear ultra violet protected lenses
- Protect your eyes from computer cathode rays — invisible streams of electrons from the cathode in a vacuum tube of the computer
- Wear proper protection in the sun
- Wear lens colors that aid and protect your vision
- If you are involved in an activity that could possibly injure your eyes, protect yourself by wearing safety lenses
Remember to always protect your eyes as if they were your last pair because, as a matter of fact, they are!!!
Shawn H. Taylor, L.D.O.
Boston, Massachusetts
* Reprinted from Positive Teens Magazine Volume 4 Issue 4, July/Aug 2002
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