The eye is an amazing organ which shapes our experience of the world, providing us with information about everything around us. But even though we use them every day, many people don’t stop to appreciate them. The guide below explains some rarely-known facts about human eyes, glasses, and sight.

Did You Know These Eye Statistics?

1. The Least Common Eye Colors

By far the most common eye color is brown, making up well over half of the world’s population. Blue, hazel, and green are next in descending order, followed by some very unusual eye colors including gray, silver, and red.

2. Time Spent Blinking

A blink takes roughly a third of a second to complete, and the average person does so every three to four seconds. This means that about one-tenth of your waking hours are spent performing this motion. Certain activities—like focusing on a computer monitor—prompt you to blink less, however, which can lead to dryness and eye strain. Therefore, take breaks when spending a long time watching your screens.

3. The Brain Connection

Between each of your eyes and your brain is a long rope of tissue called the optic nerve. This is what carries the signals which turn the light hitting your eye into an image you can perceive, all in a fraction of a second.

4. Who Needs Glasses?

About three out of every four adults use glasses or contact lenses at least part of the time. This isn’t counting sunglasses, which are even more common both for fashion and for practical use.

5. What You See

The human eye contains cone cells which allow us to see color. For most people, there are three types of cones tuned to three different wavelengths and the combination allows us to see a certain range of shades. However, some people have a fourth type of cone, allowing them to perceive up to a hundred million variations in hue and shade.

If you’re in need of eye care, turn to optometrist Matthew H. Lipparelli, O.D. in Elko, NV. With almost 30 years of experience serving Elko County residents, Dr. Lipparelli offers exams, glasses, testing, prescription updates, and contact lenses to keep you seeing clearly. He is happy to offer Saturday appointments for greater convenience. To schedule an appointment, call (775) 753-5353 or send a message online.