Our vision is so important. It helps with orientation, recognition of people and things, understanding our surroundings, keeping us safe, and so much more.

When you look at something, does everyone else see it exactly the same way?

The eye is a complex organ. It is worth protection. Following are just a few common disorders that can alter vision. Included is a brief description of how this condition can alter vision.

Color blindness – In our eyes there are rods and cones that are responsible for our vision. The cones control color vision. They are primarily red, green, and blue. Some people, 5-8% of men and up to 1% of women, inherit genes that impair their ability to see colors. The most common variety is red-green color blindness or decreased perception. People with this condition don’t see the bright versions of these colors, and in some instances can’t differentiate the colors at all. Other variations are blue-green color blindness and difficulty with all colors.

Glaucoma – This is caused by fluid build-up in the eye leading to pressure that damages vision. The added pressure can decrease vision to the point of blindness, especially if not treated. Over 2 million people in the US have open-angle glaucoma, the more common type. The incidence goes up after middle age. You often don’t notice any change until there is significant vision loss. Loss of vision around the edges usually occurs first. Testing for this is one of the key reasons for a thorough vision exam regularly.

Cataract – Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. It is a clouding of the lens of the eye making your vision look cloudy. It is treatable with an outpatient surgery, in most cases. Medicare pays for most of the surgery and follow up resources such as eyeglasses and lenses. Again, a regular vision screen can identify cataracts early and determine when the time is right for correction.

Macular degeneration – This condition is age-related and the leading case of vision decline in people over age 65. With macular degeneration, it is difficult to focus clearly on things in the central vision. This makes reading and face recognition difficult. There are few treatments for this, and the damage is permanent.

Diabetic retinopathy – This is a complication of diabetes and can be controlled and prevented with good blood sugar and blood pressure control. It is the leading cause of blindness in working adults in the US. As blood vessels in the retina of the eye are damaged, there is an appearance of dark spots in the vision.

To keep your eyes healthy, get regular (frequency guided by your eye doctor) dilated eye exams to catch problems early. Wear protective glasses when mowing, weed eating, or other activities that could cause anything to fly into your eye. Protect them with sunglasses on these bright summer days. If you are a tech junky, give your eyes a rest to reduce strain. For each 20 minutes at the computer, look away about 20 feet for at least 20 seconds.

So for many reasons, we do not all see things in the same way.

For more information, contact us at www.medsmash.com.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

In our daily life and faith, do we all ‘see’ things the same way? Have you ever been in a Bible study or discussion and marveled at the varying insights from people reading the same passages?

What can alter our perceptions? In our lives and our faith, these factors and more impact each of us:

• Life experiences to date
• Bible knowledge – amount of reading and study
• Current place in faith walk
• Current stressors and distractions
• Current openness to God’s message
• The individual gifts and abilities we each have

Our spiritual eyes, like our physical eyes, can be damaged. False messages, discouragement, sin, poor choices all impact our ability to ‘see’ God.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites repeatedly made decisions in opposition to God’s messages through the prophets.  Often their ‘view’ of reality was so skewed, and that led them further and further in to trouble.  See Jeremiah 44:11-30.  People were giving tribute to their offerings for the ‘Queen of Heaven’ rather than the one true God.

Thankfully, differences in opinion are not always bad.   When shared in love with the intent to build each other up, diversity of perspective can richly enhance our understanding.

And in prayer, study, and communication with God, we can ‘see’ His plans and His answers.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NLT

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

Romans 14:13 NIV

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Praying you ‘see’ clearly God’s plans for your life.

Blessings,

Michelle