ITS ALL ABOUT EYES Superstitions and beliefs attached to human eye and eyesight

Take a look around the room that you are in. Notice how the various images and colours that you see update constantly as you turn your head and re-direct your attention. Although the images appear to be seamless, each blending imperceptibly into the next, they are in reality being updated almost continuously by the vision apparatus of your eyes and brain. The seamless quality in the images that you see is possible because human vision updates images, including the details of motion and colour, on a time scale so rapid that a "break in the action" is almost never perceived. The range of colour, the perception of seamless motion, the contrast and the quality, along with the minute details, that most people can perceive make "real-life" images clearer and more detailed than any seen on a television or movie screen. The efficiency and completeness of your eyes and brain is unparalleled in comparison with any piece of apparatus or instrumentation ever invented. We know this amazing function of the eyes and brain as the sense of vision. The human eye sees basically three colours: red, green and blue. These are basic colours. The white is a combination of the three, the black is their lack. Yellow, purple or mauve form through the combination of two basic colours; these are called secondary colours. About 80 % of what we perceive comes through the eyes. Our memories are made 80 % by images. The eye comes with information about the depth, distance, shape, color and movement of the objects. Because the eyes watch the environment from different angles, they send different information to the brain. The brain "learns" from the first days to assemble the two images, so that we do not see a double image. But the difference between the two images helps the brain detect the location of the objects in the space and distance. This is the tridimensional vision, provided by binocular sight (when the field of the two eyes interpose). Some Myths and facts about human eyes Myth: Sitting too close to the TV is bad for the eyes. Fact: Although parents have been saying this ever since TVs first found their way into our homes, there's no evidence that plunking down right in front of the TV set damages someone's eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says that kids can actually focus up close without eyestrain better than adults, so they often develop the habit of sitting right in front of the television or holding reading material close to their eyes. However, sitting close to a TV may be a sign of near-sightedness Myth: If you cross your eyes, they'll stay that way. Fact: Contrary to the old saying, eyes will not stay that way if you cross them. If your child is crossing one eye constantly, schedule an evaluation by an ophthalmologist. Myth: If parents have poor eyesight, their kids will inherit that trait.

Fact: Unfortunately, this one is sometimes true. If you need glasses for good vision or have developed an eye condition (such as cataracts), your kids might inherit that same trait. Discuss your family's visual history with your doctor. Myth: Eating carrots can improve vision. Fact: Although it's true that carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is essential for sight, so are many other foods (asparagus, apricots, nectarines, and milk, for example). A wellbalanced diet can provide the vitamin A needed for good vision, says the AAO. Myth: Computer use can damage the eyes. Fact: According to the AAO, computer use won't harm the eyes. However, when using a computer for long periods of time, the eyes blink less than normal (like they do when reading or performing other close work). This makes the eyes dry, which may lead to a feeling of eyestrain or fatigue. So encourage your kids to take frequent breaks from Internet surfing or video games. Myth: Two blue-eyed parents can't produce a child with brown eyes. Fact: Two blue-eyed parents can have a child with brown eyes, although it's very rare. Likewise, two brown-eyed parents can have a child with blue eyes, although this is also uncommon. Myth: Only boys can be color-blind. Fact: It's estimated that up to 8% of boys have some degree of color blindness, whereas less than 1% of girls do. Myth: The eye is full size at birth. Fact: The eye is NOT full size at birth but continues to grow with your child. This growth partially accounts for refractive (glasses) changes that occur during childhood. Myth: Wearing glasses too much will make the eyes "dependent" on them. Fact: Refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism) change as kids get older. Many variables come into play, but most of this change is likely due to genetics and continues despite wearing glasses earlier or later or more or less. Wearing glasses does not make the eyes get worse.

Superstitions and beliefs attached to human eye and eyesight

Eye Twitching Eye twitching is a regular incidence among people. It means constant and involuntary muscle shuddering in scientific terms. Twitching of the left eye has a number of superstitions and beliefs attached to it worldwide. Let us discover some of these across the world. China - According to Chinese belief, left eye twitching symbolizes coming of good luck, whereas twitching of the right eye indicates coming of bad luck. This is applicable for

men. In women, it is the other way round. While left eye twitching in women would mean a bad omen, a right eye twitching will bring gold rush and good luck. Another interesting fact is about twitching of the lower left eyelid. It indicates that either there is a gossip going about you or your eyes would shed tears very soon. India - Indians also believe a lot in twitching of the left eyelid. They have the opposite version of the Chinese beliefs. The twitching of right eye means arrival of good luck and left eye twitching means some good news is expected. Eye superstition is also gender specific in this country. Twitching of the left is good for females, but bad for males. Africa - In some parts of Africa, people believe in this superstition in some other manner. Few believe that twitching of the left lower eyelid signifies that the eyes are going to shed tears soon. If the upper eyelid twitches, then it indicates that an unplanned meeting with someone would take place. Nigerians, however, believe in the same belief as Chinese do. In Hawaii, eyelid twitching means coming of an unexpected stranger or hearing some bad news. Causes For Eye Twitching It is very common to see people complain of eye twitching and eye spasms. Either the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid is involved in the twitching. The twitches come and go in less than a moment. However, if right eye is twitching continuously then it may be a sign of an eye problem. The eye twitching can continue to a few hours, days and sometimes even weeks. The lower eye lid twitching is known as myokymia in medical terms. Let is see what does it mean when your right eye twitches according to medical science. Strain One of the most common causes of right eye twitches is eye strain. Eyes muscles may strain due to working too hard for a long time. This means starring the computer screen, watching TV, reading in dim light, etc can lead to eye strain. In cases many individual, changes in eyesight may lead to eye strain as it has to try hard to focus on objects. Stress In today's hectic lifestyle, everyone feels stressed out. The body sends different signals to show it is under a lot of stress. One of the signs of stress includes eye twitching. If you do not give your eye muscles rest and strain them continuously, it causes involuntary twitching of the eye lid muscles. Lack of Sleep When one does not get enough sleep, the eyes get tired. This tiredness triggers eye spasms that leads to twitches. Therefore, it is important you sleep for at least 6 to 8 hours at night and catch 40 winks during the day, if possible. This will give your eyes some rest and avoid twitches. Dry Eyes Aging leads to a eye condition called as dry eyes. Also, people who work all day long on computers too tend to suffer from dry eyes. Excessive alcohol consumption, use of antihistamine and antidepressant medications also causes dry eyes. This condition may cause eye twitches

Excessive Caffeine Drinking excessive caffeine in the blood can trigger eye spasms and twitches. Avoid drinking a lot of tea, coffee, soda and also alcohol to avoid eye twitches. Many times anxiety, phobias, neurological disorders and injuries and emotional stress can cause the eye to twitch. A warm compress and gentle eye message will help get rid of the twitches. One may tend to considered eye twitching superstitions as funny or having entertainment value. But the fact remains that, if you suffer from continuous eye twitches, get serious and speak to an ophthalmologist. You may have an eye problem or neurological disorder that needs treatment. The evil eye The evil eye is a look that is believed by many cultures to be able to cause injury or bad luck for the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy or dislike. The term also refers to the power attributed to certain persons of inflicting injury or bad luck by such an envious or ill-wishing look. In India the evil eye, called drishtidosham (literally "sight curse") or nazar, is removed through Aarti. The actual removal involves different means as per the subject involved. In case of removing human evil eye, a traditional Hindu ritual of holy flame (on a plate) is carried out in which the plate is moved in a circular motion around the person's face so as to absorb the evil effects. Sometimes people will also be asked to spit into a handful of chilies kept in that plate, which are then thrown into fire. If there is a lot of smoke, you were being ridiculous and no one evil-eyed you. If there is no smoke (the burning throat, burning eyes kind of smoke), you were evil-eyed and now it's all clear. For vehicles too, this process is followed with limes or lemons being used instead of chilies. These lemons are crushed by the vehicle and a new lemon is hung with chilies in a bead to ward off any future evil eyes. These can also be seen at shops and private homes, usually hanging at the doorways. Many Indian shop keepers also burn a piece of newspaper and then wielding it in a circular motion before the already locked shutter or gate, before they finally leave for home. The use of kumkum on cheeks of newly-weds or babies is also a method of thwarting the "evil eye." Toddlers and young children are traditionally regarded as perfect and are likely to attract the evil eye. Often mothers apply a spot ofkohl on their children's cheeks or on the forehead to make the child imperfect and ward off evil eyes. A black cord is sometimes tied around the hip of young children for the same purpose. Sometimes shells or other amulets are attached to the cord. The evil eye is the name for a sickness transmitted -- usually without intention -by someone who is envious, jealous, or covetous. It is also called the invidious eye and the envious eye. In Hebrew it is ayin ha'ra (the evil eye), which in Yiddish is variously spelled ayin horoh, ayin hora, or ayen hara. In mainland Italian it is mal occhio (the bad eye) and in Spanish mal ojo or el ojo (the bad eye or just the eye). In Sicily it is jettatore (the projection [from the eye]) and in Farsi it is bla band (the eye of evil).

The evil eye belief is that a person -- otherwise not malific in any way -- can harm you, your children, your livestock, or your fruit trees, by *looking at them* with envy and praising them. The word "evil" is unfortunate in this context because it implies that someone has "cursed" the victim, but such is not the case. A better understanding of the term "evil eye" is gained if you know that the old British and Scottish word for it is "overlooking," which implies merely that the gaze has remained too long upon the coveted object, person, or animal. In other words, the effect of the evil eye is misfortunate, but the person who harbours jealousy and gives the evil eye is not necessarily an evil person per se.

Conclusion