December 2023
HOW DO OUR EYES WORK?
When we open our eyes, what we see is a mix of light bouncing off things around us. This light comes in through the front of our eyes, sort of like a window, called the cornea. Imagine our eyes having curtains called pupils that control how much light gets inside. The coloured part around the pupils is called the iris.
The front of our eye is curved, so the light that comes in gets bent, making the images appear upside down on the retina at the back. But don't worry, our brain fixes this, so we see things the right way up.
The job of the retina is to turn the light into signals our brain can understand, making the images we see become real to us. The back of the retina is extra sensitive to light and has cells called rods and cones, each about 5.5mm in diameter.
Now, these rods and cones do different jobs. Cones help us see in daylight, while rods take over for night vision. There are three types of cones—red, green, and blue—that respond to different light colours, helping us see in colour and detail. Rods, on the other hand, aren't picky about colour but are sensitive to light. In the dark, the cones take a break and let the rods do their thing.
HOW WE SEE A IMAGE
As we mentioned before, when light enters our eyes, it first passes through the lens. Picture the lens as the clear outer part of our eyes, shaped like a disc. This lens helps to focus the incoming light onto the retina. To do this, it relies on the ciliary muscle, which adjusts and shapes the lens, allowing us to focus on objects whether they're near or far. Interestingly, this adjustment is a reflex and doesn't need the brain's direct control.
When the lens is focused by the ciliary muscle, it creates an electrical signal on the sensitive part of the retina. This signal is generated from the energy in the light forming the image. Nerve impulses then carry this image information to the brain via the optic nerve, and our brain translates these signals into the images we perceive.
There are other important components in our eyes that contribute to our vision. For instance, there's the aqueous humor, a liquid chamber behind the cornea, and the vitreous humor, a clear gel between the lens and the retina. Additionally, the sclera, the white part around the iris, acts as a protective layer for everything inside the eye. The choroid, positioned between the retina and the sclera, consists of layers of blood vessels that provide nourishment to the back of the eye.
COMMON EYE PROBLEMS
There are various eye problems that anyone might experience, and some common ones include:
1. Refractive Errors: These issues occur when the shape of the eye is irregular, making it difficult to focus on images clearly. This can lead to impaired or blurred vision.
2. Myopia (Short Sightedness) & Hypermetropia (Long Sightedness): These conditions arise when the cornea and lens can't properly focus on the retina. Short-sightedness occurs when the eyeball is too long or the lens is too thick, causing the image to focus in front of the retina. Long-sightedness is the opposite, with the eyeball being too short or the lens too thin, resulting in the image focusing behind the retina. These are also known as near and farsightedness.
3. Cataracts: This is a progressive clouding of the lens in the eye, leading to blurred vision.
It's crucial to address these eye problems through regular check-ups with your optometrist, as they can cause permanent damage or result in poor vision if left untreated.
Regardless of the condition of your eyes, they play a vital role in our daily activities. Without them, we wouldn't be able to see and perform our tasks. Therefore, it's essential to protect our eyes.
At All Australian Safety, we offer various options for eye safety, including protective eyewear. By safeguarding your eyes with our safety eyewear, you give them the attention they need and actively prevent potential damage. Feel free to reach out to our experienced consultants by emailing info@allaustraliansafety.com.au.
