10 Reasons to Love Your Eyes
1. Your eyes process millions of signals per second
Your eyes process more data than any other sensory system. The optic nerve sends this information straight to the brain.
2. You can see millions of colors
Thanks to cone cells finely tuned to subtle wavelength differences, our eyes are able to detect one million to ten million different colors.
3. Your eyes blink about 15–20 times per minute
The act of blinking is what circulates your natural tears, which nourish and protect the front of the eye. We should be blinking ~28,000 times a day but we blink less often when we are looking at a screen.
4. Your pupils react faster and do more than you think
They adjust in milliseconds to protect your retina from light damage. Your pupils are controlled by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems; they will dilate when you’re nervous or attracted to someone.
5. Your eyes help regulate your sleep
Light entering the eyes controls circadian rhythm and melatonin release. Blue light from digital devices can affect your sleep pattern.
6. Your eyes reveal clues about your overall health
Your eyes can provide important indicators for how the rest of your body is doing. Because the eyes are the only place where we can visualize small blood vessels without having to use advanced technology, or surgery; blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and more can show up here first.
7. Your brain fills in visual gaps seamlessly
The optic nerve creates a blind spot—but your brain edits it out like magic.
8. No two irises are exactly alike
Your eyes are literally one-of-a-kind and no two are alike. Even identical twins have different irises.
9. Your eyes work together with your brain to give you depth perception
The brain combines data input from both eyes to give us depth perception; this is what helps us enjoy life in 3-D.
10. They work nonstop—even when you’re asleep
Rapid eye movement, tear production, recovery… they never fully clock out.
Loving your eyes also means taking care of them. Regular eye exams help keep your vision clear and your eyes healthy—at every stage of life.
