Your retina is one of the most important parts of your eye and one that is vital for clear vision. The seeing process is very complex and involves many parts of the eyes working together correctly. The retina is key for interpreting light and telling your brain what you are seeing.

New research has led scientists to believe that people may not see all the same colors when they look at the same things. It comes down to color perception. Although most of us would agree that red is the color of tomatoes, strawberries and stop signs, scientists now think that one person's red could be another person's blue.

Your eyes are amazing tools for viewing the environment around you. They are made up of countless nerves and parts that all work together to make vision possible. Did you know that the brain is actually the organ that does the “seeing”? Light rays reflect off what you are looking at and enter the eyes through the cornea.

Diabetes can affect the health of your heart, liver and other organs, but did you know diabetes can affect your vision as well? Diabetes can lead to a condition called diabetic retinopathy as well as other eye problems. Diabetic retinopathy is a fancy term meaning “damage to the retina”, or the part of the eye that helps you see.

Why is a healthy retina so important for overall vision and wellness? Unhealthy retinas are not capable of sending clear signals to your brain which can result in vision loss or impairment. There are many retinal conditions and diseases, but most can be treated when they are found early. Comprehensive eye exams are able to detect problems with the retina early-on to help you avoid serious diseases and complications. We recommend you visit your eye doctor annually or biannually to keep your eyes healthy. With retinal problems, you may not notice any symptoms even when a retina is threatened.