Did you know that your eye works like a camera that transmits pictures to the brain? Your brain processes what you are seeing. The light passes through the lens of your eye and is recorded in the retina in the back of your eye.

Your retina has two cells called rods and cones. The rods see black and white and the cones see color. They work together to turn the pictures you see with your eyes into electronic messages for the brain. Sometimes people can’t see all the colors and that is called color blindness. There is a blind spot on your retina which is not sensitive to light because there are no rods or cones there. It is the spot where the optic nerve is joined on to the retina. The optic nerve carries the electronical messages to the brain.
Dr. Cheri Wiggs has a fun video that explains to kids how their eyes work. Answering questions like, “Why is it harder to see colors at night?” or “What happens with your eyes when you go to sleep?”

Ask a Scientist: Eyes at Night video produced by National Eye Institute, NIH

Eyebrows and eyelashes help to keep the dust sweat from getting into your eyes. Tear glands located in the upper eye help to keep your eye clean and moist.

Our eyes are very important and we need to take care of them. Staring at a computer screen too long without a break can cause your eyes to become dry and sore. Be sure to take breaks often to give your eyes a rest.

Many of you play sports. Protective eye wear should be part of your uniform when you suit up. These glasses will help to prevent permanent injury should you get hit in the face with a baseball, hockey puck, soft ball or soccer ball.

Having an annual eye exam will alert your parents to any changes in your eyesight that may affect your ability to play sports or do well in school. If you begin to experience headaches or can’t see the board as clearly, tell your parents. Your eyes are important so we need to do everything possible to take care of them.

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.