The influence of your eyes

The eyes are the gateway to the world and an important part of our body. They are an essential factor in how we perceive our surroundings and also affect our body in different ways. The influence is often underestimated. That is why we will deal with the topic in more detail in this newsletter and give tips on how we can take care of our eyes in everyday life and use their influence on our body in a positive way.

How are your eyes?

how well can you see Do you always have dry eyes? Do you find it harder to read street signs in the evening than in daylight? Or are you becoming more sensitive to light? If you have problems with your eyes, this should be clarified by a specialist. In addition, you can train your eyes - or rather, improve the processing of information from the eyes in the brain and thus improve your vision. 

Why are your eyes important?

The eyes have a tremendous impact on the body. For example, poor vision can lead to poor posture and tension, as the body tries to compensate for the poor vision with tension. Cognitive function can also be affected if eyestrain is used or the wrong glasses are used. This can lead to concentration problems, headaches and even stress. Another way the eyes affect the body is through the influence of light. A lack of natural light can lead to vitamin D deficiency, which in turn affects the immune system and bone health. Too much artificial light, especially blue light from screens, can disrupt sleep-wake cycles and lead to sleep problems.

However, there are also ways in which we can take care of our eyes in everyday life and use their influence on the body positively. Here are some tips:

1. Take regular breaks: If you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, you should take regular breaks to relieve your eyes. Look into the distance for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, blinking several times. This can help relax the eye muscles and improve blood flow to them.
2. healthy Nutrition: A balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables can help keep your eyes healthy. In particular, foods high in vitamin A, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, can help keep your eyes healthy.
3. Natural Light: Try to use natural light as much as possible. Go outside regularly and enjoy the sunlight. This can help your body produce enough vitamin D and improve your sleep-wake cycle.

We see with our brains, not with our eyes!

How does vision work neurologically?

Vision is a complex neurological process that takes place in the brain. The eye acts as a kind of camera that takes pictures of the environment and transmits this information to the brain as electrical signals. In the brain, these signals are then processed and interpreted to create a picture of our surroundings.

The process begins when light passes through the eye's cornea and lens and strikes the retina. The retina is made up of photoreceptors, the rods and cones, which convert light into electrical signals. These signals are then sent to the brain via the optic nerve.

In the brain, these signals are then processed by different areas. First, the signal is processed in the primary visual cortex, where it is broken down into different elements such as color, shape, and movement. The information is then relayed to higher visual realms, where it is further processed to create a complete picture of the environment.

Many different parts of the brain are involved throughout the process, including the thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus. These areas help interpret the information and give meaning by linking it to other sensory information and memories.

Strictly speaking, we see with our brain and the eyes only take in the information they need. Therefore, the training should start where vision is created – in the brain. 

So if we take in new, clearer or less information through the eyes, the brain can process and interpret it better and a clearer picture can result. In addition, tension in the shoulder and neck area and in the jaw can be reduced, as this is closely related to the tension and function of the eyes.