Did You Know? Interesting Facts About Your Eyes

10 Facts About Eyes

1. The Optic Nerve Contains Over 1 Million Nerve Cells. The optic nerve is what carries signals from the eye to the brain and what allows us to properly process what we are seeing.
2. The Part Of The Eye That You See Is Only 1/6th Of The Eyeball. The rest of the eye sits in the eye socket, or orbit, is hidden from view.
3. Eyes Focus On 50 Different Items Each Second. Your eyes are incredibly perceptive and can process entire images in as little as 13 milliseconds.
4. The Rods And Cones In Your Eyes Allow You To See. Within the eye there are rods, which allow you to see shapes, and cones, which allow you to see colour. These work cooperatively to create the 3D, coloured images you see.
5. The Brain Is The Only Organ More Complex Than The Eye. The brain and the eye work in tandem to create your vision, with the eye interpreting light into image and sending signals to the brain.
6. Your Eyes Can Detect A Candle Flame Over 2.7km Away. A person with 20/20 eyesight would be able to see very far if the curvature of the earth didn’t interrupt the sightline. For reference, if you were in an airplane 11.5km above the earth’s surface, you would still be able to distinguish roads, farms, rivers, and landmarks.
7. Your Eyes Have The Ability To Differentiate Over 10 Million Colours. You see colour due to the wavelengths of light, which is independent of light intensity.
8. Your Eye Is The Fastest Contracting Muscle In Your Body. The eye contracts at a rate of 1/100th of a second.
9. Your Iris Has about 250 Unique Characteristics. That’s much more than the 40 unique characteristics of a fingerprint. The iris is the coloured part of the eye that surrounds the pupil and it is comprised of a series of folds and ridges, making it completely unique to each person. Iris colour can change over time, but iris pattern does not.
10. The Average Person Blinks 12 Times A Minute. You blink so much that your eyes are closed for about 10% of the time you’re awake.

Visit Specs In The City In Calgary For All Of Your Eye Needs.

Because the eyes are such complex organs with so many different components, they need to be examined regularly to ensure everything is functioning properly. If you’re looking for top quality optometrists and a professional staff to take care of your eye health, visit us at Specs in the City in SE Calgary. Specs in the City is here for all of your eye exam, eyeglasses, and eye emergency needs, with our knowledgeable staff ready to answer any questions you may have, either by filling out the contact form or by calling 1-403-252-2020.

FAQ

Q: What do optometrists look for in an eye exam?
A: The Specs in the City Calgary optometrists check for many different aspects of eye health during an eye exam. The eye doctor will look at your physical eye (which may include shining a light so they can see more) to check for any abnormalities, checking your vision, your ability to see colour, and assess any other areas of concern you may have.

Q: Does Alberta health cover eye exams?
A: If you are 18 and under or 65 and over, the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides coverage for annual eye exams. AHCIP will also cover any emergency eye services. For those not covered by AHCIP, Specs in the City offers affordable eye exams. Seeing your eye doctor regularly can save you money by catching problems before they become serious and require more extensive medical treatments.

Q: Do I need an eye exam every year?
A: We recommend getting your eyes examined at least once every two years if you’re between the ages of 19 to 64. Ideally you would get them checked once a year, but we understand not everyone can make that happen. However, if you experience any major or noticeable changes to your vision, we urge you to book an eye exam with our SE Calgary optometry clinic right away.