
Although our eyes do so much for us, we often take them for granted and don’t consider the amazing things they do that go beyond seeing. At Better Vision New Jersey, we want to share five fascinating facts about your eyes that may change the way you think about them.
The eye is so complex that it consists of over 2 million working parts, making it highly productive and able to adapt to multiple environments. As the first and second most complex organs in the human body, the brain and eyes work together to help process information about the world around us. The eyes translate visual cues through the optic nerve, enabling the brain to understand what we are seeing.
Within the eye, the pupil, lens, and iris constantly adjust and change, making it easier for our brain to process what we see. When reading a book, watching a show, or looking outside, your eyes adjust to pick up every word, movement, and color. In fact, you just read this without realizing your eyes had adjusted to pick up each letter.
On average, people tend to blink between 14,400 and 19,200 times per day, which means that if you’re awake, you’re probably blinking! Blinking assists in keeping our eyes moist by replenishing the tear film as well as wiping debris from our eyes, essentially the equivalent of windshield wipers for your eyes.
Although newborns know how to cry, they don’t begin to produce tears until they are between one to three months old. As adults get older, the lacrimal glands, which produce tears, become less efficient at producing an adequate quantity. An inadequate amount of tears can cause discomfort in the eyes and even dry eyes, which is common in older adults.
Although your eyes have no trouble healing small abrasions on their own (it takes less than 48 hours to heal a corneal scratch), many issues require the help of a professional. Numerous age-related eye conditions aren’t always noticeable to the untrained eye, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma. However, these can be caught and treated during regular eye exams. Similarly, eye conditions that arise in children will be caught faster during an eye exam than in school or at home.
Our eyes do so much for us: they allow us to process and experience the world around us. A great way to show your eyes the appreciation they deserve is by scheduling a regular appointment. Booking regular eye exams will help keep your eyes healthy and safe, as they function as one of the most complex organs in your body.
To schedule your next appointment with Better Vision New Jersey, call (908)-276-3030 today!