Healthy Eyes, Clear Vision - LPNI

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Healthy Eyes, Clear Vision

LPNI Health Topic -- August 2022

Our eyes are complicated, delicate but strong, hardworking, miraculous organs. Seeing is a gift that we must cherish and care for. Children are taught to “Eat your carrots”, “Don’t read in the dark”, “Keep that sharp object away from your eyes” and other important advice to help keep eyes healthy. As we age, we realize the importance of eye health, of wearing protection from harmful sun rays and other dangers, getting eye exams and eating healthy foods, among others.

When we look at a person’s face, we see that eyes come in all shapes, sizes and colors. What we don’t see is the intricate structure that is the eye and how it connects through the brain with other organs and systems of our bodies. The cornea, a clear “window” at the front of the eye, covers both the iris and the pupil. The iris gives the eye its color and determines the amount of light that enters in. The pupil is the black dot at the center through which light enters. Behind the pupil sits a clear lens that works like a camera lens, and focuses light onto the retina which is at the back of the eye. The retina is the light-sensitive inner lining at the back of the eye, consisting of 10 different layers of cells which work together to detect light and turn it into electrical impulses. These impulses are then carried to the brain through the optic nerve. The visual cortex in the brain interprets the impulses into what we see.

A problem with any part of the eye can cause various vision problems. Many of these issues can be corrected or helped with eyewear, corrective surgery or eye instilled medications. Some eye or vision problems result from diseases in the eye or within the body, which require appropriate medications and treatments for the disease. Other conditions affecting vision may be more related to how the mind works … what people see is affected by how they think and feel. For example, a person with depression might describe seeing the world as if covered in a dark blanket. Keeping our eyes healthy is certainly essential, but is not the whole picture.

We see, not only with our physical vision but through how it connects our whole being, body, mind and spirit. Whether we have clear physical vision or not, the connections are there. Helen Keller, who was both blind and deaf, once said, “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart”. Clear vision then, also involves the heart and soul.

Jesus healed blind people, as seen in Matthew 9:28 and 29 (NIV). [Two blind men] came to Jesus and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord, they replied.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.”

Even when we struggle with physical problems of the eyes and body, we can be whole and healed. Jesus heals humankind from spiritual blindness and pain through his sacrifice, love and grace. As Isaiah reminds us (53:5 NIV)) “by his wounds we are healed.” As we strive to keep our eyes healthy and our vision clear; keeping our focus on God’s love for humankind, his forgiveness and his gift of faith, we look forward to being whole, seeing everything perfectly clearly for eternity with him.

Dottie Simon RN, retired dotsimon03@yahoo.com