1. The eye has 10 muscles

We never really think about the intricate muscle work that controls the diverse movements of our eyes. It turns out, however, that there's a combination of ten muscles both surrounding and within the eye.

The muscles surrounding the eye include six small muscles that control the eye itself (called the extraocular muscles), as well as one that controls the eyelid. Although these muscles aren’t particularly strong, they are extremely fast and precise!

Inside the eye, there are two muscles to constrict and dilate the pupil and one to help the eye focus on near objects.

2. Your most active muscles are in your eyes

Out of all the muscles in your body, the muscles that control your eyes are the most active.

The six muscles that control each eye are responsible for tracking moving objects, scanning for objects and maintaining stable images on the retina.

3. An average blink lasts for one tenth of a second

On average, you blink about 12 times every minute, which adds up to 4.2 million times a year!
 

Why exactly do we blink?

The purpose of blinking is to lubricate our eyes to prevent dryness, and to wipe away potentially harmful substances on the surface of the  eye.

However, researchers say that adults blink more than we actually need to – around 15 - 20 times a minute!

4. The eyes may look but the brain sees

While it's true that we look through our eyes, the retina is actually part of the much larger brain. 

The part of the brain that does the actual 'seeing' is right back on the opposite side of the brain.

So, when it comes to making sense of images, about 20 per cent of the work is done by the retina, and the brainstem and cortex do the rest.

This is called visual perception.

5. Ommatophobia is the fear of eyes

We know about common phobias like arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and claustrophobia (fear of small spaces).

But a slightly lesser known phobia is ommatophobia, the fear of eyes. This must be a tough one, eyes are everywhere you look!

6. An iris has 256 unique characteristics

Thought a fingerprint was unique? While a fingerprint has around 40 unique characteristics, your iris has over 250!

Retinal scans, which use infrared light to map the unique pattern of blood vessels on a person’s retina, are becoming increasingly popular for security checks.

These retinal patterns are so intricate that identical twins don’t even share the same pattern!

7. All blue-eyed people are related

In the beginning, everyone had brown eyes, and the majority of us still do.

Scientists believe about 6,000 - 10,000 years ago, a genetic mutation took place causing the first ever person to be born with blue eyes.

New research now goes even further, suggesting that every single person with blue eyes shares that same original ancestor.

So, in some small way, if you have blue eyes, you’re a part of the biggest family tree ever!

8. There are three types of photoreceptors in our eyes

You might remember from school that our eye contains a ‘retina’, which is thin, light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

Our retina contains three primary types of light-sensing cells called photoreceptors; cones, rods, and the photosensitive ganglion cell, which enable us to perceive light in different forms.

Rods help us to see in low light and cones help us see in bright light.

Photosensitive ganglion cells help synchronising circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycles), amongst a range of other functions.

9. 4 out of 5 people who are blind don't need to be

Right now, 4 out of 5 people who are blind don’t need to be.

In many cases, these people are blind because of poor health, a lack of access to medical services, and because they live in poverty.

Treatable or preventable eye diseases such as cataract, trachoma, refractive error and diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness, if left unexamined.

But we know avoidable blindness can be eliminated throughout the world.
 

Read the stories of some of the people we've helped

10. As little as HK$150 can restore someone's sight!

Because of the pioneering work of Fred Hollows and others, we can now restore sight to people all over the world.

In some developing countries, treating a person with cataract can cost as little as HK$150. This quick and inexpensive procedure can be all it takes to restore someone’s sight and significantly change their life.

The impact of restoring someone’s sight is enormous. It changes lives. It creates opportunities.

Children can go to school, and parents can provide for their families. Elderly people can pass on their wisdom and regain their independence.

We also know that the social and economic benefits of eliminating blindness can be life-changing.

For every $1 invested in preventing someone from going blind, at least four times the financial benefit goes to the economy. Adults can return to work and children can get an education, reaching their full potential.

The Fred Hollows Foundation is an international not-for-profit organisation that has already restored sight to more than two million people worldwide.

By mobilising ordinary people around the world we’ve raised the funds to reduce avoidable blindness. Just like Fred did, these individual donations are improving people’s lives – in places such as Kenya, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Ethiopia.

If you want to help restore sight and change someone’s life, you can make a difference by donating here.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dr Richard Le Mesurier - The Fred Hollows Foundation

As the Medical Director of The Fred Hollows Foundation, Dr Richard Le Mesurier has overall clinical and technical responsibility for eye health programmes in up to 19 countries as part of the global effort to eliminate avoidable blindness. His role includes identifying and developing innovative ways to make eye care cheaper and more accessible to those least able to afford it, through training and technology.
 

Richard is an experienced ophthalmologist, and is skilled in nonprofit organisation management, clinical research, medical education, and program evaluation.

Aysha Morrison - The Fred Hollows Foundation

Aysha is the SEO Support Officer here at The Foundation, and a Communications and Media Studies student at the University of Wollongong. She is passionate about creating a better and safer world, and believes that to achieve equality, we must encourage openness and acceptance in all areas of our lives.

DISCLAIMER: 

Whilst the content on this page is not intended to be medical advice, it has been reviewed and approved by eye health professionals from The Foundation. For medical advice, please contact your local health professional. If you require any further information about this article, please get in touch.