Watch as we stretch to link eye facts to the holiday season

1. Pupil Size and Emotions:

   • Fun Fact: The size of your pupils can change based on your emotions. They tend to dilate when you see something you love or are excited about.
   • Holiday Twist: Across religious traditions, the excitement in your eyes could mirror the joy of anticipating festive celebrations. In Christianity, the joy of Christmas; in Judaism, the excitement during Hanukkah; in Islam, the delight of Eid festivities; and in Hinduism, the joy of Diwali lights.

2. Blinking Rate:

   • Fun Fact: On average, a person blinks about 15–20 times per minute. Blinking helps keep the eyes moist and clean.
   • Holiday Twist: During the winter season, when the air is dry, blinking becomes even more important to keep your eyes comfortable, especially when participating in holiday observances. This could include Christmas services, Hanukkah candle lighting, Eid prayers, or Diwali rituals.

3. Eye Color Diversity:

   • Fun Fact: The most common eye color worldwide is brown, followed by blue and green. However, there's a range of beautiful eye colors, including hazel and gray.
   • Holiday Twist: Just like the diversity in eye colors, holiday celebrations come in various traditions and colors. Whether it's the rich reds and greens of Christmas, the blue and white of Hanukkah, the vibrant hues of Eid decorations, or the radiant colors of Diwali, the season is a celebration of diversity.

4. Color Perception:

   • Fun Fact: The human eye can distinguish between more than 7 million different colors.
   • Holiday Twist: Think about all the colorful lights, ornaments, and decorations during the holidays. This diversity of colors mirrors the richness and variety of religious celebrations around the world.

5. Twinkling Lights and Vision:

   • Fun Fact: When you see twinkling lights, it might be a sign of astigmatism, a common vision condition. Astigmatism can cause lights to appear blurry or distorted.
   • Holiday Twist: If you notice the lights on the Christmas tree twinkling in a unique way, it might be time for an eye check-up to ensure clear vision during holiday observances. Similarly, clear vision is crucial during the beautiful candle lighting of Hanukkah, the illuminated mosques during Eid, or the radiant Diwali lamps.

6. Mistletoe and Pupil Dilation:

   • Fun Fact: The custom of kissing under the mistletoe has ancient origins. Interestingly, the word "mistletoe" comes from two Anglo-Saxon words that mean "dung" and "twig" because mistletoe spreads through bird droppings on tree branches.
   • Holiday Twist: Just as mistletoe traditions have their roots, your pupils dilate with excitement under the mistletoe as you share a holiday kiss. This excitement could be part of the joy in various religious celebrations, symbolizing love, compassion, and connection.

Remember to embrace the joy and unity that comes with diverse religious celebrations during the holiday season, each bringing its unique traditions and colors to the tapestry of festivities.

Author

David Greening, ABOC, BS(HONS) Ophth. Dispensing David is a licensed optician, and has been in optics since 2002. He attained his Bachelor of Science degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing in Kent, England (2014). He has extensive experience, having managed his own practice for many years prior to arriving at Astorino & Associates Eye Center. He is a licensed American optician (ABOC) and is well-recognized for his quality of service, attention to detail, and patient care. He left our practice January 2024.