As we move from Thanksgiving through the holidays, we can’t help but be filled with gratitude. And this month, we want to take a moment to be thankful for something we so often take for granted. Our vision.
Have you ever paused in wonder and gratitude for your eyesight? Vision is amazingly complex, and our eyes are truly a wonder!
This season, take a moment to read on for why you should appreciate your vision today.
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Your Eyes Are Competent & Complex - When you wake up, your eyes don’t need any adjustment and your lenses can focus almost immediately.
Your eyelids themselves are controlled by different muscles, however your eyeballs are ready to get the day started.
In fact, your eyes are made up of millions of working parts. More than two million parts work together so that you can see. Despite all those moving parts, eyes are one of the smallest yet strongest muscles in the human body. -
Your Eyes Set You Apart - Every individual has a unique pair of eyes. In fact, the iris has up to 240 district features that can identify you as a person.
Your eyes can even show other people if you are interested in them romantically! A human’s pupils will typically dilate in response to attraction. So not only do your eyes help you stand out but they can also help you find love! -
Your Eyes Are Highly Adaptable - Our environment and surroundings can change rather quickly, particularly when it comes to lighting. Our eyes can adjust almost instantly when we go from light to dark areas and vice versa.
Our eyes also have an auto-correct feature where they fill in gaps in our vision. Even blinking has become an ever more important feature as screen time leads to dry eyes and blinking helps prevent this. - Your Eyes Record Your Memories - Your eyes see millions of images in your lifetime and these images are stored in the brain as memories. Without our eyes we wouldn't have those beautiful mental snapshots to think back on.
So now that we know all the wonderful things our eyes do, how can we make sure we keep them healthy and protect our vision?
THE IMPORTANCE OF EYE HEALTH & YOUR EYE CARE RETAILER
One way is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Your eyes may feel healthy but many eye diseases don't have symptoms. It's best to air on the side of caution.
An exam can check for many different diseases early on and help prevent potential damage. You can also take care of your vision by taking care of your overall health by eating well, quitting smoking and being active.
Another way is to enhance your diet and/or take supplements that provide your eyes with the nutrients they need. Providing your eyes with essential nutrients can reduce your risk of developing serious eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. Eating foods like carrots, citrus, leafy greens and nuts will help ensure your eyes are getting the nutrients they need. Supplements can be added if diet alone isn’t enough. For vision, vitamin C, Vitamin E, zinc, carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids are optimal. Of course, always talk to a doctor first about whether supplements are right for you.
We can also be thankful not only for our vision but the eye glasses and contact technology that make vision possible when issues with our eyes occur. This holiday season be sure to remember all that your eyes do for you and take a moment to be grateful for your vision!
