Your eyes are delicate structures that perform an important function: they provide you with your sense of sight. At Opti-Care, we believe that understanding how your eyes work can empower you to take better care of them. Read on as your optometrist explains the vision process.
All About Teamwork
Your ability to see is the product of intense coordination between your eyes and your brain. Light rays bounce off an object in your visual field and then pass through your cornea, the clear, dome-like structure covering the front part of your eyes.
Next, they enter your pupil, which can change sizes depending on how light or dark your surroundings are. Your iris, the colored portion of your eyes, determines how big your pupils should be. It enlarges your pupil when you’re in a dark setting and reduces pupil size when you’re in a bright place. Your natural lenses will flatten when you’re looking at a distant object and curve when you’re viewing something close by. This helps bend light rays properly toward the retina.
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eyes that we usually assess during a comprehensive eye exam. It’s responsible for converting light rays into nerve signals, which the optic nerve transmits to the brain. Your brain then translates these signals into an image.
Keeping Your Eyes in Good Shape
One of the most important components of a good preventative eyecare plan is visiting your optometrist regularly. Having a comprehensive eye exam at least every two years helps with early detection and prompt treatment of eye conditions. If we find signs of refractive errors, for example, we may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. Eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and drinking plenty of water are also good habits that help safeguard your visual health.
If you have more questions about how your eyes work, call us at (410) 600-3173. We serve families in Westminster, Marriottsville and nearby communities in Maryland.