The Third Eye..
Friday, March 7, 2008/
1:50 AM
All of you would have probably heard of the term "The Third Eye" before? Ever really wanted to know more about it? Read on to find out!
In the physical body, your eyes look outward - though when the image converges on the retina, it becomes upside-down. Next, photoreceptors send the nerve impulses to the brain, which interprets the image and makes it appear right-side up to us.
However, it is also believed that another eye exists. It is called the
'Third Eye' which in reality, is the
pineal gland.
The pineal gland is about the size of a pea, and is located in the center of the brain in a tiny cave, behind and above the pituitary gland, which lies a little behind the root of the nose. To say it more clearly, it is located directly behind the eyes.
This gland is activated by light, and it controls the various biorhythms of the body. It works in harmony with the hypothalamus gland, which directs the body's thirst, hunger, sexual desire and the biological clock which determines our aging process.
Additionally, the pineal gland is said to excrete
dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which some think induces dreams, near-death experiences, meditation, or hallucinations. Various types of lower vertebrates, such as reptiles and amphibians, can actually sense light through a third parietal eye—a structure associated with the pineal gland—which serves to regulate their biorhythms.
There is evidence that the pineal gland produces the hormone
melatonin, which has a role in regulating the body's circadian rhythm to the daily light/dark cycle and also assists with the immune system. Because of all the above, the pineal gland has become for some the subject of speculation about its origin as a physical third eye.
While the physiological function of the pineal gland has been unknown until recent times, mystical traditions and esoteric schools have long known this area in the middle of the brain to be the connecting link between the physical and spiritual worlds. Considered the most powerful and highest source of ethereal energy available to humans, the pineal gland has always been important in initiating supernatural powers. Development of psychic talents has been closely associated with this organ of higher vision.
This is no wonder that the function of this gland has long been contemplated by philosophers and Spiritual Adepts, even the Ancient Greeks believed the pineal gland to be the connection to the Realms of Thought.
A True Joke
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1:32 AM
I think my joke is funnier than Rachel's. (LALA~ :D)
Patient: "Whenever I drink coffee, I have this sharp, excruciating pain."
Eye Doctor:"Try to remember to remove the spoon from the cup before drinking."
Haha! So funny!
HAHAHAHA!
Another funnier one:
Yilin: Did you consult the eye doctor about your eyes ?
Guiju: Yes, but the doctor was more blind than me.
Yilin: How do you know ?
Guiju: He was looking at my eyes with a torch !
HAHAHAHA!
This is so funny!!!
(Done by: Wong May Ping 24/4F)
[I feel embarrassed posting this :S]
Lazy Eye
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1:18 AM
I have been an eye doctor with ABC Hospital for 20 years, and if I should say, pretty experienced in this field. Over the years, I have seen patients affected by many kinds of eye diseases, but the most uncommon one, though certainly not unheard of, woule be amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, affecting just about two to three percent of the population. But, if left uncorrected, this vision problem can have very dire consequences. Central vision fails to develop properly, usually in one eye, which is called amblyopic. Untreated amblyopia may lead to functional blindness in the affected eye. Although the amblyopic eye has the capability to see, the brain "turns off" this eye because vision is very blurred. The brain chooses to see only with the stronger eye.
Amblyopia generally develops in young children, before age six. Its symptoms include squinting or completely closing one eye to see, overall poor visual acuity, eyestrain and headaches.
Trauma to the eye can cause amblyopia, as well as a strong uncorrected refractive error (nearsightedness or farsightedness) or strabismus. It is important to correct amblyopia as early as possible, before the brain learns to entirely ignore vision in the affected eye.
Amblyopic children can be treated with vision therapy (which often includes patching one eye), atropine eye drops, the correct prescription for nearsightedness or farsightedness, or surgery.
Vision therapy exercises the eyes and helps both eyes work as a team, as it forces the brain to see through the amblyopic eye, thus restoring vision. A prosthetic contact lens that is specially designed to block vision in one eye but is coloured to closely match the other eye can also be used until the amblyopic eye recovers.
Atropine eye drops can also be used to treat amblyopia. One drop is placed in the good eye each day. Atropine blurs vision in the good eye, which forces your child to use the eye with amblyopia more, to strengthen it. However, atropine does have side effects that should be considered: light sensitivity (because the eye is constantly dilated), flushing, and possible paralysis of the ciliary muscle after long-term atropine use, which could affect the eye's ability to change focus. (accomodation) Surgery is best for amblyopic children with an underlying physical problem, such as strabismus. The surgery corrects the muscle problem that causes strabismus so the eyes can focus together and see properly.
With the co-operation of both the doctor and the parents, I believe such cases of 'lazy eye' will see a further drop, though numbers are already currently pretty low. Children, do take good care of your eyes, as they are your windows to this beautiful world.
Credits: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amblyopia.htm
yilin-
Eyecare.
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12:39 AM
THE EYE SPECIALIST IS HERE AGAIN!!!
Hi one and all. I am the super duper professional eye specialist from 4Falala Hospital and now I am going to share with you all how can you all care for your eyes with proper eye care.
Firstly, why should we care for our eyes? Eye care is an important factor in all of our lives. We sometimes take sight for granted but can you imagine not being able to see everyday things normally. Imagine not being able to see your kids, too watch TV, too take a walk and see all of nature is beauties. People with certain eye diseases are not able to enjoy these experiences to their full extent and sometimes not at all. There are several reasons for people to start learning more about eye health and how to protect our sight. There are not only personal reasons but financial reasons as well because the cost of eye care affects everyone. As the Baby Boomer generation ages and faces more eye problems, the need for eye care will be much greater.
Secondly, eye care is essential to maintaining the health of our eyes. People with eye diseases that greatly affect their vision face many problems. They are physically hampered by impaired vision. They are not able to perform daily activities like driving or working. Some are barely able to see or have lost their vision entirely. They are also faced with emotional stress. People with dramatic eye problems face many issues that can lead to solitude and depression. This strain also affects friends and families.
They are not able to enjoy everyday moments or special events. Eye problems can also be very costly to individuals. The need for eye wear, eye surgeries, and other needs can greatly affect a person or a family is income. Some people are not even able to work because of their eye problems. There are several steps everyone can take to help prevent eye diseases and the problems related to them. It starts with knowledge of keeping the eye healthy and following good guidelines for maintaining good eye health.
Good eye care habits...
Give your eyes a break
•After 30 - 40 minutes of near work, you should take a vision break of 3 - 5 minutes. You can do so by looking at a distant object or out of the window.
•It is important for you to limit the time spent on continuous near work. Some examples of near work includes drawing, painting, playing hand-held games and doing craft work with small objects.
Reading
•The height of the table and chair should be adequate and the distance between the eyes and the book should be approximately 30cm.
•The reading environment should be well-lit.
•Sit upright in a comfortable chair.
Using a Computer
•Your eyes should maintain a distance of approximately 50cm from the computer screen.
•Adjust the monitor screen to reduce glare resulting from the reflections of other sources of light.
•Ensure adequate lighting.
Diet and Habits
•Have a balanced diet.
•Get enough sleep at night.
•Exercise regularly.
When Watching TV Programmes or Playing Video Games
•Sit at least 2 metres away.
•Ensure height of TV is at or below eye level.
•Switch on the room light.
Regular Eyesight Check Ups
Visit an optometrist or optician at least once a year if you are already myopic or are advised by the School Health Service for eye check ups. The check ups include:
•Visual Acuity Assessment
This assessment refers to the measurement of an eye's ability to distinguish forms and details of a visible target. Depending on the distance of the target, the visual acuity can either be distance visual acuity or near visual acuity.
•Refraction Assessment
This assessment determines the presence and severity of refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia, The results determine the power of the corrective device (eg spectacles or contact lenses) required to enable the person to see clearly.
Hopefully, you guys will find these eye care tips useful and remember to care for your eyes as without them you will not be able to enjoy the beautiful world! Till next time! Once again, i am the super duper professional eye specialist!!!
-Gui Ju 4F (10)
credits:
http://www.hpb.gov.sg/htm/pro/eyecare/goodeyecarehabits.html
http://www.eyecare123.com/
Cataract
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12:33 AM
To see Edwin suffering under the torture of the cataract, it really pains me... Edwin has been my friend for years. Many, many years. When I first learnt he contracted cataract, I couldn't believe it... His eyesight had always been good, and he had almost no problems with his eyes at all.
To see how I could help this dear friend of mine, I decided to do some research on the Internet and also accompanied him on his visits to the doctor...
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens,
See animation. which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye and also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. As we age, the arrangement of the protein is messed up as some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. In severe cases, it may even result in blindness. Cataracts affect vision by scattering incoming light.
See animation. According to the doctor, there are 3 different types of cataracts: The nuclear cataract, the cortical cataract and the subcapsular cataract.
A nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms. This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes.
A cortical cataract, which forms in the lens cortex, gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.
A subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids have a higher risk of developing a subcapsular cataract.
Edwin, who has an active and healthy lifestyle, falls under the first category. His cataract first started out small and brought about a temporary improvement in his near vision, called 'second sight', a symptom of nuclear cataract. It had little effect, only blurring his vision a little. Unfortunately, the improved vision is short-lived and the cataract gradually worsened. He found light from the sun or a lamp too bright or glaring. When he drove at night, the oncoming headlights caused more glare and discomfort to his eyes than before. Colours did not appear as bright as they once did, which to him, was a great hit, as he, who is a fashion designer, simply loved to work with colours and he loved the way he was able to blend and mix all the colours into those beautiful hues.
It has not been discovered why the eye's lens changes as we age, forming cataracts. Researchers are now identifying factors that may cause cataracts, and information that may help to prevent them. Many studies suggest that exposure to ultraviolet light is associated with cataract development, so eyecare practitioners recommend wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to reduce direct exposure to these harmful rays. Other types of radiation may also be causes.
Other studies suggest people with diabetes are at risk for developing a cataract. The same goes for users of steroids, diuretics and major tranquilizers, but more studies are needed to distinguish the effect of the disease from the consequences of the drugs themselves.
Some eyecare practitioners believe that a diet high in antioxidants, such as vitamin A, selenium and vitamins C and E, may forestall cataract development. Meanwhile, eating a lot of salt may increase your risk. Other risk factors include cigarette smoke, air pollution and heavy alcohol consumption.
Edwin first tried to correct his cataract and improve his vision by using new gla
sses, strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids, but they only helped for awhile. His cataracts have already progressed enough to seriously impair his vision and affect his daily life, and therefore he is contemplating surgery, as cataract surgery is a simple, relatively painless procedure to regain vision, with a high chance of success. As explained by Edwin's doctor, his clouded lens will be replaced with a clear, plastic intraocular lens (IOL), which will potentially help him see at all distances, not just one. Another new type of IOL blocks both ultraviolet and blue light rays, which research indicates may damage the retina.
Hopefully, after the surgery, Edwin will be able to regain his life before contracting cataract again, and go back to the job he loves the most -- being the fashion designer he longs to be.
Credits: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/cataracts.htm
rachel [4F/23] --*
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
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12:07 AM
Haiz… As the Chinese saying goes, ‘人老了就不中用了’. This is indeed true and is happening to me, a sixty year-old lady who is suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). What a sad life I lead. My vision is always blurred or distorted, with objects looking an unusual size or shape and straight lines appearing wavy or fuzzy. Besides that, I am very sensitive to light now or can actually see lights, shapes and colours that are not there. This causes occasional discomfort, however it is not painful. Even so, it is very uncomfortable. Worst still, as I have an advanced condition, I will often notice a blank patch or dark spot in the centre of their sight. This makes reading, writing and recognising small objects or faces very difficult for me.
I did not notice that I had this disease until very long later when I finally realised that my vision is very bad. Thus, I consulted an eye specialist. That eye specialist did an assessment of my vision in both eyes. Then I was given eye drops, which was said to enlarge my pupil so that the specialist can look into my eye. According to the specialist, the drops take about 30 minutes (I was unhappy for having to wait for such a long time.L) to work although their effect may last for several hours. My vision was blurred for a while and then my eyes become sensitive to light, but the specialist said this is nothing to worry about as we do not meet the visual requirements for driving and it is certainly preferable that we do not drive to the hospital for this examination. Thus, in the end I had to take a taxi home.
THE EYE SPECIALIST ANSWERS ALL!!!
The eye is shaped like a ball. The pupil, close to the front, is the opening, which allows light to enter the eye. Just behind the pupil is the lens, which focuses the light on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is a delicate tissue, which converts the light into images, and sends them to the brain. The macula is a small area at the very centre of the retina.
The macula is very important and is responsible for what we see straight in front of us, allowing us to see fine detail for activities such as reading and writing, as well as our ability to see colour.
What is macular degeneration?Sometimes the delicate cells of the macula become damaged and stop working, and there are many different conditions which can cause this. If it occurs later in life, it is called “age-related macular degeneration”, also often known as AMD.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of macular degeneration or AMD, usually referred to as “wet” and “dry”. This is not a description of what the eye feels like but what the ophthalmologist (eye specialist) can see when looking at the macula.
“Dry” AMD is the most common form of the condition. It develops very slowly causing gradual loss of central vision. Many people find that the vision cells simply stop working like the colours fading in an old photograph. There is no medical treatment for this type. However, aids such as magnifiers can be helpful with reading and other small detailed tasks.
“Wet” AMD results in new blood vessels growing behind the retina, this causes bleeding and scarring, which can lead to sight loss. “Wet” AMD can develop quickly and sometimes responds to treatment in the early stages. It accounts for about 10 per cent of all people with AMD.
Both “wet” and “dry” AMD usually involve both eyes, although one may be affected long before the other. This sometimes makes the condition difficult to notice at first because the sight in the “good” eye is compensating for the loss of sight in the affected eye. You cannot wear out your sight, so do not be afraid to continue to use the “good” eye as normal.
The good news is that AMD is not painful, and almost never leads to total blindness. It is the most common cause of poor sight in people over 60 but very rarely leads to complete sight loss because only the central vision is affected. This means that almost everyone with AMD will have enough side (or peripheral) vision to get around and keep his or her independence.
What causes AMD?
At the moment the exact cause for AMD is not known. However there are a number of risk factors which have been identified.
Age – AMD is an age related condition so growing older makes the condition more likely.
Gender – Women seem more likely to develop macular degeneration than men.
Genetics – There appear to be a number of genes which can be passed through families which may have an impact on whether someone develops AMD or not.
Smoking – Smoking has been linked by a number of studies to the development of AMD. It has also been shown that stopping smoking can reduce the risk of AMD developing.
Sunlight – Some research suggests that lifetime exposure to sunlight may affect the retina. It is a good idea to wear sunglasses to protect the eyes.
Nutrition – Research suggests some vitamins and minerals can help protect against AMD.
Although nothing can be done about age, gender and the genes we inherit, it is possible to control the other more environmental factors that seem to be linked to AMD. Protecting your eyes from the sun, eating a well balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and stopping smoking may all help to delay the progress of AMD.
I was quite worried about my condition as having a poor vision isn’t very nice and comfortable. Thus, I consulted the specialist for any cures or treatment. According to him, I was very lucky; as mine was the ‘wet’ type not the ‘dry’ one as the ‘dry’ type currently had no cure for it. PHEW! He told me that photodynamic therapy (PDT) is possible to treat my eyes. This treatment involves infusing a light sensitive drug through the blood stream similar to a fluorescein angiogram. This drug is able to identify the new blood vessels, growing in the wrong place behind the retina, that form with “wet” AMD. A “cold laser” is then shone into the eye which activates the drug stopping the new blood vessels from growing and helping to prevent them causing too much damage to the macular area. This treatment is available on the NHS and has been shown to be effective for many people with “wet” AMD. It can help stop the “wet” AMD progressing to its worst stages though more than one treatment may be needed.
Besides that, he said that new treatments for “wet” macular degeneration are being developed all the time. Anti VEGF therapies are the next group of treatments likely to be available in the UK. There are a number of different treatments being tested but all of them involve an injection into the eye that stops the development of the new leaky blood vessels. This has to be repeated about every six weeks for as long as your doctor thinks is necessary. Like PDT this type of treatment is limited to people whose “wet AMD” affects the middle of the macula and its main aim is to stop “wet AMD” from getting worse. However, in some cases it has been shown to restore some of the vision already lost and it can help with a wider range of people than PDT. At the moment these anti VEGF treatments are not available on the NHS. However local Primary Care Trusts can decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not to provide this treatment through the NHS. The treatment may also be available privately.
Hopefully, after going through the treatment, my condition can get better and life will be so much easier for me. Haiz…
-Gui Ju 4F (10)
Myopia / Shortsightedness
Thursday, March 6, 2008/
11:41 PM
Light entering the eye is focused onto the retina. Most of the light (70%) entering the eye is focused by the cornea ,while the rest is focused by the lens, which is situated just behind the cornea. If the light is focused properly on the retina, we see a clear image. If the light focuses in front of the retina, the image is fuzzy.
For people who suffer from myopia, it is usually the case of the corneas of their eyes being too curved or the eyeball too elongated. Images are focused in front of the retina rather than directly on it, and therefore, what appears to them will be blur, unclear images. To a short-sighted person, distant objects seem blurred, while near objects can be seen more clearly. Other symptoms can include headache and tired eyes. Children may not even realise that they have blurred vision. Therefore, parents or teachers have to be extra observant and send the child for eye checkups if they squint or frown a lot, hold books close to their face, or have trouble seeing a blackboard, television or cinema screen, which are all symptoms of myopia or shortsightedness.
Myopia most commonly develops in childhood or early teens (between 8 and 14) as the growth of the eyeball is most avid during this period. It normally stops getting worse when we reach adulthood. The risk of developing myopia is increased if there is a family history of it. A link has also been proposed between myopia and prolonged close-up work, such as reading or sitting close to the television, although there is little scientific evidence to reinstate this. Myopia can be associated with certain types of cataracts, where the lens becomes cloudy. It can also be caused by a condition called keratoconus, in which the cornea thins and becomes more curved.
Most people have mild myopia and there are no serious problems. However, in some rare cases, the eyeball continues to grow and myopia becomes progressively worse. This is called pathological myopia. People with this type of myopia are at an increased risk of developing certain other eye problems, like retinal detachment, when the retinal lining separates from the back wall of the eye, which can sometimes lead to blindness. For example, a few people with severe myopia may get retinal detachment, which is when the retinal lining separates from the back wall of the eye. This requires urgent surgical treatment to prevent permanent loss of vision.
Myopia can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. These work by refocusing the image on the retina. Glasses can be worn by people of all ages, and are less expensive than contact lenses. However, they may get in the way of some types of work, and they fog up in humid or cold weather. Contact lenses give better side vision than glasses, and come in a wide range to meet individual needs. However, contact lenses may need cleaning and disinfecting (if they are not disposable), and they require care in insertion and removal. Also, they can cause infection, dry eyes, and scratches of the cornea. Surgery can correct myopia by altering the shape of the cornea. The most common is LASIK (Laser in-situ keratomileusis) treatment. A small flap is made in the cornea, and a tiny piece of tissue is removed accurately with a laser. Vision may be hazy or blurry for a few days after surgery. The long-term safety and effectiveness of this procedure has not been proved. However, before taking the risk to undergo surgery, here are some side-effects that you might want to take note of: slight discomfort and watering eyes for a few hours, light sensitivity and possible dryness in the eyes for up to six months afterwards.
Complications are another factor to consider before going for surgery rashly. Most people are not affected, but the main possible complications can include:
clouding of the cornea
glare around bright lights
over-correction (long-sightedness) or under-correction (under-treated myopia)
infection of the cornea, which is usually treated with antibiotic eyedrops
increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
puncture of the cornea or eyeball
retinal detachment
Basically, we just have to take good care of our eyes by giving them appropriate rest and not over-straining them by reading under dim light or using the computer for long hours etc. This will certainly help in reducing risk of myopia. Just like our body, our eyes need adequate rest to be able to function well. Let us start from today to give our eyes 'a better, and healthier tomorrow'! :D
Credits: http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/myopia.html
rachel [4F/23] --*
short-sightedness!
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11:32 PM
Here's a short joke to lighten up all our stressed, hectic lives... enjoy! (:
A man went to see an ophthalmologist and complained that he was short-sighted.
The doctor took him outside, pointed upward and asked, "What do you see there?"
"The sun," the man replied.
The eye doctor asked, "How far do you want to see!?"
Haha! Isn't that REALLY FUNNY!!!! :DDD
rachel [4F/23] --*
Your Eye's "Megapixel" Resolution
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11:30 PM
We have always been using cameras and video cams to document images, but how about our eyes? Our eyes are one of the most amazing things in nature, as it that enables us to see. 8)
As a matter of fact, the typical human retina has an average of five million cone receptors on it, which are responsible for colour vision. There are also a hundred million rods that detect monochrome contrast, which plays an important role in the sharpness of the image you see.
The eye moves rapidly in small angular amounts and continually updates the image in one's brain to "paint" the detail. We also have two eyes, and our brains combine the signals to increase the resolution further. We will also naturally move our eyes around the scene to gather more information. Because of these factors, the eye and the brain assemble a higher resolution image than possible.
In good light, we can distinguish two fine lines if they are separated by at least 0.6 arc-minutes (0.01.Degrees). Blackwell (1046) derived the eye's resolution, which is 0.35 arc-minute (or smaller) at the limit of visual acuity.
This is equivalent to a pixel size of 0.3 arc-minutes! If you take a conservative 120 degrees as your horizontal field of view and 60 degrees in the vertical plane:
120 * 120 * 60 * 60 / (0.3 * 0.3)
This translates to 576 megapixels! :O!
Imagine! 576 megapixels of available image data!
Curiously – ironic to this - most people cannot distinguish the difference in quality between a 300dpi (dots per ink) and a 150dpi photo when printed at 6x4", when viewed at normal viewing distances.
So, although the human eye and brain when combined can produce massive amounts of data for imaging purposes, 150dpi output is more than enough to provide adequate data for us to accept the result as photographic quality.
How cool is that? :)
http://news.deviantart.com/article/27174/
http://www.clarkvision.com/imagedetail/eye-resolution.html
yilin-
Revelation of class test answers (:
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11:08 PM
So now, kids, I have finished marking your biology spring tests, and we are going to go through them now! Applause please!
*Groans from class*
And here are the long-awaited answers!
Please check your answers and come to me for any mark discrepancies! :D
rachel [4F/23] --*
Quotes!!!
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10:52 PM
Interesting quotes on the eye! Enjoy!
There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those.
- Michael Nolan
He who experiences the unity of life sees his own self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.
-Buddha quotes
For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.
-Ivan Panin
The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
The loveliest faces are to be seen by moonlight, when one sees half with the eye and half with the fancy.
-Persian Proverb quotes
Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity, good speech, good silence and nothing too much
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
-Mahatma Gandhi
Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.
-Helen Keller
Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.
-Henry David Thoreau
Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake?
-Leonardo da Vinci
Love is not blind; it is an extra eye, which shows us what is most worthy of regard.
-James Matthew Barrie
All things, oh priests, are on fire . . . The eye is on fire; forms are on fire; eye-consciousness is on fire; impressions received by the eye are on fire.
-Buddha quotes (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)
To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
If the eye does not want to see, neither light nor glasses will help
-German Proverb quotes
All that we do is done with an eye to something else
-Aristotle quotes
There are moments when, even to the sober eye of Reason, the world of our sad humanity must assume the aspect of Hell
-Edgar Allan Poe
Every closed eye is not sleeping, and every open eye is not seeing.
-Bill Cosby
Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road.
-Dag Hammarskjold
The eye of a master will do more work than both his hands
-Benjamin Franklin
An eye can threaten like a loaded and levelled gun, or it can insult like hissing or kicking; or, in its altered mood, by beams of kindness, it can make the heart dance for joy
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
The eye of a human being is a microscope, which makes the world seem bigger than it really is.
-Kahlil Gibran
What the eye does not see, the heart does not rue
-Mary Collyer
The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason.
-Benjamin Franklin
The eye altering, alters all.
-William Blake
Be slow of tongue and quick of eye.
-Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
In marriage the eye finds, the heart chooses, the hand binds, and death looses.
-Anonymous
Faults are beauties in a lover’s eye.
-Theocritus quotes
For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.
-Anonymous
We hardly ever realize that we can cut anything out of our lives, anytime, in the blink of an eye.
-Carlos Castaneda
-Gui Ju 4F (10)
credits:http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/eye
Class Test! :O
Wednesday, March 5, 2008/
11:23 PM
Good morning class, we will be having a biology pop quiz on the eye, yes THE EYE, today! *evil grin* please put away all your books, files, and all related materials and prepare for the test.
*students receive question paper*
*silence*
*stares hard at question paper*
*GULPS*
"ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Oww, that was a really loud cry of shock and alarm... Hmmm... Is the biology class test I set really so hard? Why not you try it out too, and see how much you know about the eye! :D
Have fun trying it out! (: Good luck, folks!
rachel [4F/23] --*
Food, Food, Glorious Food!
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10:51 AM
Beware, earthlings. Ever heard of the saying 'You are what you eat' ?
Today, let me, the nutritionist from Planet Good Food(that's me at the top) educate and give you earthlings some tips on how to maintain a good eyesight through the food you eat.
So what type of foods are
EYE HEALTHY?
Studies have suggested that by eating foods rich in six nutrients — antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc — you can protect your eyes from disease.
And so you may wonder, what types of food possess these nutrients?
Well,
Most fruits and vegetables are great sources of
Vitamin C, including
ORANGES
GRAPEFRUIT
STRAWBERRIES
PAPAYA
GREEN PEPPERS
TOMATOES
and many more :)
Vitamin E is more difficult to obtain from food sources, since it is found in very small quantities. However, good food sources include
vegetable oils(safflower and corn oil),
almonds,
pecans,
wheat germ...
...and sunflower seeds.
Beta-carotene is present in dark green leafy vegetables (spinach!), deep orange or yellow
fruits and vegetables like
cantaloupe,
mangos,
apricots,
peaches,
sweet potatoes,
carrots,
and fortified cereals.
Lutein and
zeaxanthin are found together in many food sources. Dark green leafy vegetables are the primary sources of lutein and zeaxanthin like
kale,
and collard greens,
but they are also present in lesser amount in other colorful fruits and vegetables, such as
broccoli,
orange peppers,
corn,
peas,
persimmons and
tangerines.
Good food sources of
zinc include
meat,
liver,
shellfish,
milk,
whole grains and
wheat germ(Yes, again).
Eating healthy for your eyes could be the most promising means of protecting your eyes from AMD and cataracts. In addition, planning menus rich in the nutrients described above can mean better overall health for you.
By the way...
Popeye was right about Spinach!By eating the equivalent of one-half cup of cooked spinach four to seven times per week, you can
possibly prevent AMD. Spinach contains a significant amount of lutein. To find out how much of other foods you would need to consume to obtain the same amount of lutein in a 2 cup of cooked spinach, see the equivalency chart below.
Popeye’s Equivalency Table
2 cup of cooked spinach
3 cup cooked kale
2 cup cooked collard or
turnip greens
2 cups of raw spinach
2 cups broccoli
24 cups corn kernels
24 cups Romaine lettuce
22 cups raw zucchini
2w cups canned peas
7 cups green beans
93 cups orange juice
from concentrate
4 pounds of carrots
(that’s a lot of carrots!)
17 cups chopped iceberg
lettuce
Wow! Popeye probably had pretty good eyesight :D
So that's the end of my educating you earthlings for today!
I had better travel back quickly to my Planet now! I still need to attend school tomorrow and the journey is about 5 hours.
Till then,
MUACKS!
(Done by: Wong May Ping 24/4F)
An account of a colour-blindness 'victim'
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12:30 AM
I was diagnosed with colour blindness, or colour vision deficiency since I was young. It was passed down through the genes, as my father is a 'victim' of colour blindness too, unlike some other friends of mine who are colour blind due to overexposure to certain chemicals or their eyes or brains had suffered damage before. Simply put, it means that I have the inability to differentiate some of the colours that other people can distinguish.
Colour blindness is usually classified as a disability, but I have never found myself in any way inferior to others, or wallowed in self-pity because of it. Admittedly, we do have a disadvantage in some situations, but there are also other selected situations where colour blind people may have advantages over people with normal color vision. I remember when I was younger, my parents tried to explain this deficiency to me. Through the research I did over the Internet, I found out that there are actually some studies which conclude that colour blind individuals are better at penetrating certain camouflages. People who are colour blind may also have a minor advantage in dark vision, but only in the first five and a half minutes of dark adaptation, like in my case.
Colour blindness affects both men and women. The normal human retina contains two kinds of light cells: the rod cells which are active in low light, and the cone cells which are active in normal daylight. Normally, there are three kinds of cones, each containing a different pigment. The cones are activated when the pigments absorb light. The absorption spectrum of the cones vary; one is maximally sensitive to short wavelengths, one to medium wavelengths, and the third to long wavelengths. The absorption spectra of all three systems cover much of the visible spectrum, so it is not entirely accurate to refer to them as "blue", "green" and "red" receptors, especially because the "red" receptor actually has its peak sensitivity in the yellow. The sensitivity of normal color vision actually depends on the overlap between the absorption spectra of the three systems: different colors are recognized when the different types of cone are stimulated to different extents. Red light, for example, stimulates the long wavelength cones much more than either of the others, and reducing wavelength causes the other two cone systems to be increasingly stimulated, causing a gradual change in hue.
The Ishihara colour test, which consists of a series of pictures of colored spots, is the test most often used to diagnose common types of colour blindness, like the red-green colour deficiencies. A number is embedded in the picture as a number of spots in a slightly different colour, and can be seen by those with a normal colour vision, but not by those with a particular colour defect. The full set of tests has a variety of figure/background color combinations, and enable diagnosis of which particular visual defect is present. Most clinical tests are designed to be fast, simple, and effective at identifying broad categories of colour blindness.
There is generally no treatment to cure color deficiencies, however, certain types of tinted filters and contact lenses may aid an individual in differentiating colours better. Optometrists can supply a singular red-tint contact lens to wear in the dominant eye. This may enable the wearer to pass colour blindness tests for certain occupations. The effect of wearing such a device is akin to wearing red/blue 3D glasses and can take some getting used to as certain wavelengths can "jump" out and be overly represented. Additionally, advancements in technology has enabled certain kinds of computer software to be developed to assist those with visual colour difficulties.
Although I may be colour blind, life is definitely no less fulfilling to me! I am still able to see many beautiful things in this world, and I certainly do enjoy doing things like hiking and admiring the breathtaking landscapes on earth. I live by the mission not to allow myself to be pitied, be it by myself or others, and I have never viewed this birth defect as a liability, as I am certainly more fortunate than many others in this world, who sadly are unable to even see. Live life to the fullest, cherish every moment, and life will still be meaningful in its own way, come what may :D
(adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_blindness)
rachel [4F/23] --*
Extraocular Implants
Monday, March 3, 2008/
11:41 PM
The ophthalmologist is back once again! :D
If corneal tattoos are not enough for you, you might be shocked to know that you can 'hang' little decoratives on the whites of your eyes, just like how you put them on your ears.
Extraocular implants, also simply known as eyeball jewelry, is not only possible, but legal in Netherlands, as long as its performed by a legalised ophthalmologist (Ahem, that's me) under sterile conditions.
In 2002 the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery developed a cosmetic extraocular implant (CEI) that can be implanted within the superficial, interpalpebral conjunctiva. The implant does not interfere with the ocular functions, ie the visual performance and motility. The CEI is made of a specially designed material that can be molded in all kinds of desired shapes and sizes.
This is a short description of a CEI implantation under eye-drop anesthesia: - The eye is anesthesized with routine eye-drop anesthesia medication.
- The eye is decontaminated and draped with routine techniques used in ocular surgery.
- An INTRAconjunctival bleb is created by injection of BSS in the most superficial conjunctival layer. The bleb may be positioned adjacent to the temporal limbus.
- With conjunctival scissors, the bleb is opened and a superficial intraconjunctival tunnel is made.
- The tunnel is checked to determine if it is wide enough to accomodate the CEI implantation device.
- The CEI is then loaded into the CEI implantation device, and the device is inserted into the tunnel up to the desired final position of the CEI.
- Using a routine fine-forceps, the CEI is removed from the CEI implantation device and the CEI implantation device is withdrawn from the conjunctival tunnel.
- With a spounge, all excess BSS is removed from the implantation area.
- At the end of the procedure, antibiotic drops are applied onto the eye.
- Postoperative management includes antibiotic eyedrops for 1-2 week(s).
According to the NIIOS, patient satisfaction is high and no side effects of the treatment have been noticed with a follow-up of more than one year.
----
Here is the end of my post and I hope you enjoyed learning about eye modifications. Some of you may feel disgusted, some may feel that it's cool, but I strongly urge everyone of you to think twice before undergoing any of these treatments. Think before you act!! :)
(Done by: Wong May Ping 24/4F)
Corneal Tattooing
Sunday, March 2, 2008/
4:11 PM
We used to be able to pierce dragons and tigers on our back. Now we can be the next powerpuff girl with corneal tattoos.
Corneal tattoos are getting readily popular with some youngsters who eagerly allow injections into their eyes in order to have blue eyes.
Corneal Tattooing-- the only way to be cool.
But is this really the case?
Cosmetic tattooing of the cornea can be extremely dangerous. Infection, perforation and hemorrhage are among the potential complications.
There is perfectly no reason for us to go blind just to have blue eyes.
So think twice before allowing allowing someone to poke a needle into your eye. If you think getting rid of the tiger on your back, think of how you're going to feel about your kaleidoscope eyes.
And turning the whites of your eyes blue isn't exactly very pretty. Really.
However, from an ophthalmologist's point of view, I must say that Corneal tattooing does has its positive effect on people too. If a person has suffered eye trauma - burning, laceration or bruising - scars can result, which a tattoo can cover. It can also help people with leucoma - an opaque blemish, usually white in color -and return the eye's appearance to one of more normalcy.
I certainly recommend corneal tattooing in a patient with a corneal scar - but I do not recommend these procedures to be performed solely for the purpose of body adornment due to significant vision-threatening side effects.
Below is a video on the prodecure of eye tattooing. Personally, I don't really think it's cool :S
(Done by: Wong May Ping 24/4F)
Top 15 Myths About The Eye -- A speech to educate the public by an eye doctor :D
/
12:31 AM
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! It's my pleasure and honour today to be able to stand up here and speak to you today about our precious windows to the world-- the eye. We have heard so many myths about the eye, that some of us confuse us with some facts or the truth... but no blames put on everyone, we all tend to get confused as there's a fine line between what's real and what's not. haha. so being the nice person I am, I have decided to inform you about the top 15 myths regarding the eye! As Publilius Syrus once said, “The eyes are not responsible when the mind does the seeing.” Don't ever get tricked next time you hear these old wive's tales!
(credits to: http://ririanproject.com/2007/04/21/15-useless-or-even-dangerous-eyesight-myths/ )
Myth #1: “Sitting too close to the TV will damage your vision.”
There is no evidence that sitting close to the television will damage your eyes. So sit wherever you are most comfortable. Eyes may become tired from sitting too close for long periods, if the light in the room is too dim, or if the picture screen is out of focus.
Myth #2: “Reading in the dark will weaken your eyesight”
As with sitting too close to the television, reading in dim light can cause eye fatigue, but it is not harmful and cannot damage your vision.
Myth #3: “Some eye exercises can improve your vision.”
Being alive and looking around at your world is all that is necessary to keep your muscles “toned.” Any extra effort is a waste of time and has no benefit. This myth has made many people wealthy, but rolling your eyes around has no effect on your vision.
Myth #4: “You can wear your eyes out by using them too much.”
Eyes are not like light bulbs. So you cannot wear your eyes out by using them. In fact they can last your entire lifetime if they are healthy. Cutting down on reading or close work, will not help or harm your eyesight.
Myth #5: “”Vision improves in older people as they gain second sight.”
“Second sight” refers to the ability of a person to see better, usually up-close, as they age. The reason for this “improved” vision is that the lens power changes due to increasing cataract. So actually second sight is due to the cataract having advanced.
Myth #6: “Too much sex, especially masturbation, can make you go blind.”
No, there is no way that this ridiculous myth can be true. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, if left untreated can lead to blindness, dementia and death. This is where this myth came from.
Myth #7: “Wearing poorly fit glasses damages your eyes.”
In fact what is required for good vision is the right eyeglass prescription. Poor fitting glasses do not damage your eyes.
Myth #8: “Blind people have a sixth sense or extra ordinary talents.”
Most People with (20/20) vision do not pay much attention to their other senses. Blind people have worked hard to develop their other senses to compensate for their vision loss. There is no sixth sense. Just hard work and practice.
Myth #9: “There is no need to have your vision checked before you turn 40.”
Everyone should follow a proper eye health program that includes a regular eye exam, whether or not they’re having any noticeable signs of problems. There are treatable eye diseases; glaucoma is one of them, which can show up before you turn 40.
Myth #10: “Doctors can transplant eyes.”
It is not possible to transplant a whole eye. The eye is connected to the brain by a small nerve called the optic nerve. If this nerve is cut it cannot be reconnected, making it impossible to remove the eye and replace it with another one. When doctors figure out how to transplant the brain, they will be able to transplant the eye.
Myth #11: “Scientists have created a Bionic Eye.”
Researchers have been working on a microchip to replace damaged retina cells in a person’s central vision. Other scientists have been trying to figure out a way to connect a camera directly to the brain. The eye and the brain do not work the same way a camera and computer do. Even after someone figures out how to make a bionic eye, they still have to figure out how to connect it to the neural circuitry of the brain. What they have created so far is a crude form of vision consisting of several dots of light.
Myth #12: “It is not harmful to look at the sun if you squint or use dark glasses.”
The sun’s ultra-violet light will still get to your eyes, damaging the cornea, lens and retina. So looking at the sun may not only cause headache and distort your vision temporarily, but it can also cause permanent eye damage. Never look directly at a solar eclipse. The direct light from the sun can blind a person in less than a minute.
Myth #13: “There is nothing you can do to prevent vision loss”
Regular eye exams and proper safety eyewear can save your sight. Also at the very first signs of vision loss, such as blurred vision or flashes of light, you should see your doctor. If detected early enough, depending on the cause, there are treatments that can correct, stop, or slow down the loss of vision.
Myth #14: “Although eyeglasses makes you see better, they make vision get worse over time.”
Wearing eyeglasses will never make your eyes worse. Before you start wearing glasses, you are accustomed to seeing a blurry world around you. Since this is all you have ever seen, you accept it as normal. When your vision is corrected with eyeglasses you start seeing a clear world. Now when you remove your eyeglasses after wearing them for several months, you are presented with the same blurry world as before. You feel you were able to get around without wearing glasses before but now when you remove glasses you see all blurry and cannot get around. In reality it’s your perception that has changed.
Myth #15: “Eating carrots will improve your vision.”
While it is true that carrots are high in Vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin for sight, only a small amount is necessary for good vision. In fact, eating large amounts of Vitamin A or other vitamins can be very harmful.
Haha cool ain't it? So you people who gorge yourself with carrots to improve or maintain your eyesight, you can take a break from them now :D Our eyes are our windows to the world, so do treasure and take good care of them! Thank you very much, and I hope you all have benefitted from my speech today!
rachel [4F/23] --*
林宥嘉's eye
Saturday, March 1, 2008/
11:13 PM
This is 林宥嘉's eye. It is super appropriate to feature him here cause he sang a song called 你是我的眼 :D
Lyrics:
如果我能看得见
就能轻易的分辨白天黑夜
就能准确的在人群中牵住你的手
如果我能看得见
就能驾车带你到处遨游
就能惊喜的从背后给你一个拥抱
如果我能看得见
生命也许完全不同
可能我想要的我喜欢的我爱的
都不一样
眼前的黑不是黑
你说的白是什么白
人们说的天空蓝
是我记忆中那团白云背后的蓝天
我望向你的脸
却只能看见一片虚无
是不是上帝在我眼前遮住了帘
忘了掀开
你是我的眼带我领略四季的变换
你是我的眼带我穿越拥挤的人潮
你是我的眼带我阅读浩瀚的书海
因为你是我的眼
让我看见这世界就在我眼前
The reasons behind this URL
/
11:01 PM
Because
www.eyecansee.blogspot.com
and
www.eyeloveyou.blogspot.com
were already taken. Sobs.
SOBS. SOBS. SOBS. SOBS. SOBS!!!
Have fun exploring our website :)
Have a good day! (Especially Miss Koh.. teehee! :D )
