Blind spot, What blind spot?!

Our eyesight is very often taken for granted, so embedded in our day to day lives that we sometimes forget just how amazing our eyes are.
Sure everybody's heard that we actually view the world upside down, until our brain flips the image around that is, but coming up are a few lesser known facts about our whole visual system, including some fun and interesting ways that allow you to 'see' them working.


Let's have a look at our blind spots!

Everyone has a blind spot in each eye caused by the optic disc at the back of the eye, the place where all nerve fibres come together to form the optic nerve. There are no photoreceptors in this part of the eye, consequently creating a blind spot.

But why don't we notice them?
When we have both eyes open the eyes are compensating for each other. The left eye fills in the missing part of the right eyes vision and vice-versa.

But then why do we still not notice them if we close one eye?
This is the really amazing bit! Our brain 'fills in' the blind spot with an image that matches its surroundings, by either filling in a background pattern or continuing an image that is passing through the blind spot!

So is it really a blind spot if you never 'see' it?
It most certainly is, and here are two ways that you can 'see' your blind spot.

First of all, put both arms straight out in front of you with both hands pointing vertically up. Now, with your others fingers clenched in, point your index fingers upwards, and your thumbs sideways so that they are pointing towards each other.













Now close your left eye and with your right eye stare at the fingertip of your left index finger. Now start slowly waving your right index finger left and right, while keeping your focus on your left index finger. You should see your right fingertip disappear as it passes through your blind spot!

Not working for you? Or still need convincing of just how big those blind spots are?

Then take a look at this!

Look straight on at the picture at arms length away, close your left eye and with your right eye focus on the small cross. You should still be able to see the white circle, but now start slowly moving closer towards the image, keeping your focus on the cross, and when you get to the right distance the white circle will disappear! Give it a go...

The eye muscles are the fastest and most active muscles in the human body, and the eye, unlike any other body part, is on hand 24/7 to work at 100% maximum capacity. After the brain, your eyes really are the most special part of you, so look after them!
Please make sure that you are having regular eye examinations, so that a qualified Optometrist can check that YOUR eyes are healthy and able to carry on doing the hundreds of amazing things that you might not have even realised they were doing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this weeks blog from all at Lynne Fernandes Optometrists.

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