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Home » The Las Vegas Eye Care Blog » How Do We See?

Have you ever thought about how vision works? Seeing is an incredible eyeball drawinggift made possible by a system in which the eye and the brain process visual information from the outside world. If any step of that process does not function properly, vision will be impaired.

Similar to a camera, the eye transmits light from the world around us into an image that we can perceive. Certain parts of the eye even function like the different parts of a camera such as the shutter, the lens and film (if we can hearken back to the days when we used film in cameras). Here is a quick breakdown of the fascinating way our eyes and brain enable us to see and experience the world around us:

The Vision Process

Light reflected from an object in our field of view is gathered by the cornea which is essentially the clear “window” to our eye. The cornea then refracts the light rays through the pupil (the center of the iris where light enters the eye). The iris, which like the shutter of a camera will enlarge and shrink based on how much light is coming in, then passes the image onto the crystalline lens. Just like a camera lens, the lens in the eye focuses the light rays, projecting them to a point at the back of the eye called the retina, where the image will appear upside down. The retina contains a thin layer of color-sensitive cells called rods and cones that perceive color.

From the retina, the visual signals travel to the brain via the optic nerve. The brain receives information from both eyes and must then converge the images (and flip them right side up) to get a complete picture.

Vision Problems

A breakdown in vision can happen at any point in this process. From the muscles that control the eyes, to the parts within the eye, to the pathway to the brain. Sometimes vision impairment is due to technical problems with the eye receiving the information and passing the signal on, such as convergence insufficiency (inability to coordinate the eyes to converge on one point), myopia (nearsightedness) or cataracts (clouding of the lens).

Other times, the eyes might work perfectly, but there is a problem with the brain interpreting the signals it receives. In these cases we can’t “see” in the traditional sense, because our brains aren’t able to properly “read’ the signals or we don’t know what we are looking at. This is the case for some learning disorders that are caused by the visual processes in the brain such as dyslexia.

As you can see, vision is quite a complicated process. A simple vision exam isn’t always able to determine vision problems, especially in children which is why it is so important to have regular comprehensive eye exams, to measure the health of the eye and all of its parts.

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Reviews
Yesnick Vision Center is thee best place for all your optical needs! I only wished I discovered his practice sooner since moving from NorCal. Before Dr. Yesnick I’ve had a 30+ year relationship with my previous Optometrist and I am confident that I’ve finally found my next Optometrist for the next 30+ years. Dr. Yesnick and his staff are absolutely a class act. Knowledgeable, Professional, and Personable. The optical equipment they have is state of the art, the office/facility very clean and well organized. Best part is that they have a HUGE selection of eyeglass frames to choose from.
3 hours ago
- Steve S.
Sometimes God places angels right here on Earth. Sight is sometimes taken for granted but if you lose it, it changes your life. I would like to thank the staff for their professionalism with my husband and my son. A pure miracle when all hope was lost. I am so grateful for the doctors and the staff and their commitment to help people see again. I look forward to working together to change lives. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! I would recommend this facility to anyone struggling with low vision.
9 hours ago
- Roxanne N.
Always a delightful experience when we come to this office. I bring the entire family for appointments and they never have an issue with it and always accept us with a smile. Doc is amazing with my children and is very through in doing his exams. Wouldn't go any place else.
7 days ago
- Michiko H.
Amazing service, start to finish! Best eye exam/service I’ve ever had! Professional start to finish, thorough, a detailed, all my needs met, and question's answered. Recommend to everyone
1 week ago
- Tj
Had excellent service from check-in on out. David and Christopher were very efficient in answering all of my questions. Thank you guys for your awesome service.
1 week ago
- charissa W.
Excellent & friendly service. Reasonable prices
1 week ago
- Robert T.
I have been a patient at Yesnick for many years! The staff are wonderful and I feel appreciated as a patient.
2 weeks ago
- Yvonne R.