BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW; EDITED BY BERNICE BORN
Since healthy eyes are essential to a healthy body, WiRED International now offers a health learning module on vision.
WiRED’s Vision Module describes vision and the visual system, structural and functional eye disorders, eye diseases, brain disorders and injuries affecting eyesight, treatment of visual problems, eye tests and examinations. We stress eye care and provide tips about practices that can help us see better and prevent some eye problems from ever occurring.
Vision is process that starts in the eyes but actually occurs in the brain. Vision starts when light is absorbed by a tissue in the back of the eye called the retina. This light is changed by the retina into signals that are sent to the brain. The signals travel through many parts of the brain, and the brain is able to understand important things from the signals such as the shape, size, color, and location of the objects we see.
Many diseases can impact different parts of the eye and cause poor vision. Eye diseases do not always cause pain and sometimes can only be detected through a comprehensive eye examination. Most eye diseases can be treated with medications or surgeries.
Globally, the number of people of all ages visually impaired is estimated to be 253 million, of whom 36 million are blind. The major causes of visual impairment are uncorrected refractive errors and cataract. The good news is that more than 80% of all vision impairment can be prevented or cured.
Learn all about vision by checking out WiRED’s Vision Module.
You can download the module in this story, and all 400+ of WiRED’s health modules, through WiRED’s Health Module Access Program (HealthMAP) by clicking here. This easy-to-use free program will enable you to create your own customized collection of health learning modules. You can learn more about HealthMAP through WiRED's animation.
Tips for Healthy Eyes
Your eyes are important to your health. There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure you are seeing your best. Follow these simple steps for maintaining healthy eyes well into your golden years.
Source: NEI
Quiz Questions from WiRED’s Vision Module
Facts about Vision