The human eye is one of the most intricate, complex structures in nature, a product of over 500 million years of evolution. Whether you have green eyes or brown, wear glasses or have perfect vision, your eyes are simply amazing, capable of seeing millions of colors and picking out countless shapes. Below are a few incredible facts about the human eye that show why you shouldn’t take them for granted.

5 Fun Facts About the Human Eye

1. You Actually Have a Blind Spot

Each of your eyes has a tiny blind spot where the optic nerve attaches to the back of the retina. Fortunately, you never notice this and can’t even see it since your eyes coordinate to fill in the missing information.

2. Everyone With Blue Eyes Shares a Common Ancestor

Genetic scientists believe that all blue-eyed people are descended from a single individual born about 10,000 years ago with a genetic mutation that limits melanin production in the iris. Because this mutation is a recessive trait, just over 15% of the world’s population has blue eyes today.

3. You’re Actually Blind Thousands of Times Every Day

Raw footage taken by a camera that’s spinning too fast will probably be blurry and might even make some people nauseous. So why doesn’t that happen when you look around the room quickly? Using a process called “saccadic masking,” your brain shuts out visual information every time your eyes move to keep you from getting disoriented and nauseous.

4. Eyes Heal Quickly

While your eyes might be among the most vulnerable parts of your body, they’re also fast to heal. Most people can actually recover from corneal scratches and even laser surgery in as little as 48 hours.

5. The Eye’s Muscles Are Finely Tuned

Turning the eyeball to focus on tiny details requires precision control by muscles capable of the smallest movements. The muscles around your eyes are finely tuned and are actually the most active in your entire body.

As incredible as your eyes might be, they might need a little help from prescription glasses, eyedrops, and a skilled optometrist who values your vision and comfort. Whether you’ve suffered an injury or just need a new pair of glasses, Abel Klecker & Robbins in Lexington, KY, provides the level of service you deserve, with a rich history going back over 60 years. Visit their website for a list of their services, call (859) 269-6921 to make an appointment, or just visit them in person to try on your next pair of glasses today!