World Sight Day 2023

Ocober 12, 2023 is World Sight Day. This is a global event that focuses on drawing attention to blindness and vision impairment. Our eyesight is essential for everything we do each day. Through our sight, we connect to our surroundings and people. We see the world and all the beauty made of a variety of colors, shapes, images, sizes, and patterns. Sight gives us the ability to recognize movement, and vision provides the ability to determine motion. In one hour, our eyes can process 36,000 pieces of information. Over one’s lifetime, the eyes will see approximately 24 million different images. These images comprise three colors which are red, blue, and green, the other colors are a combination of the three. Our eyes are by far the most important organs of sense. We perceive approximately 80 percent of all impressions by means of our sight. Therefore, it is our eyes that protect us from danger if other senses like taste or smell stop working.

Important Eye Facts

Eye health is essential. Our vision is one of the most delicate systems, if not the most, in the human body, so any unusual symptoms or sensations should be brought to the attention of an eye care professional immediately to ensure proper treatment and continued function. The following are common eye symptoms that may require a visit to and examination by your eye care professional. Our sight and vision are crucial.

• There are four types of vision; nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism or near-perfect eyesight.
• The most important organ of sense is our eyes, our vision. We perceive approximately 80% of all impressions using our sight. It is our eyes that best protect us from danger
• Keep us safe
• They allow us to connect with our surroundings
• Help maintain the sharpness of our minds
• Sight and vision are different entities.
  • Sight is physical – it is a sensory experience in which light reflects off of shapes and objects and the eyes then
• Sight absorbs the visual elements of this world. Vision unveils a world that can exist. Sight reveals boundaries in our path. Vision sees beyond limits (Lexgillette).
• Your eyesight takes place in the eyes and vision takes place in the brain.
• Your eyes pick up a clear image (eyesight) and the brain (vision) can process, understand, and analyze that image.
• Vision is how the brain filters the information delivered by the eyes.

The Cornea Or Conjunctiva (Eye Rheum) And A Mucus Discharge From 

Eye Rheum, also known as ‘sleep” in the eye matter, eye gunk, eye boogers, or eye discharge, A little sleep in the eyes upon waking is a normal function of the eye. It is your body’s mechanism for clearing the eyes of any bacteria or debris such as allergens or cosmetics. A change in your eye’s normal discharge (consistency, frequency, or amount) may indicate an eye infection that requires prompt treatment. Conjunctivitis (bacterial, viral, or allergic) is the condition most commonly associated with abnormal eye discharge.

Bright Light (Photophobia) And Eye Discomfort

Photophobia, sensitivity to light, is the sensitivity or intolerance to bright light. In mild cases, one might need to squint in bright light, but in serious cases of photophobia, the bright light causes severe eye pain. Corneal abrasion, dry eyes, scleritis, conjunctivitis, encephalitis, meningitis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage all cause photophobia. Some causes of photophobia are not considered serious medical problems, but sometimes these symptoms accompany conditions that are medical emergencies. Any instance of light sensitivity should be brought to the attention of an eye care professional.

Floaters (Myodesopsias or Muscae Volitantes_in Latin it is flying flies)

Small spots, squiggly lines, strands, or ring-like objects that appear in the field of vision are called floaters. Especially apparent in bright environments, floaters are most often a benign annoyance. They are ocular trouble consisting of the emergence in the visual field of black or white-colored dots, spots, threads, or cobwebs of different shapes, that move with eye movements. However, they may appear in conjunction with more serious underlying conditions such as eye tumors, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, or a retinal tear.

Anyone experiencing floaters should seek treatment with an eye care professional. (All see Retinal Detachment is Section entitled “Diseases and Conditions of the Eye”). They are ocular trouble consisting of the emergence in the visual field of black or white-colored dots, spots, threads, or cobwebs of different shapes, that move with eye movements.

It is always important to visit your eye doctor yearly, or when you believe there are issues, to ensure you protect this important sense.  Contact us immediately if you are experiencing any of the issues listed above.