Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Offer some unusual tips from your line of work

braisler · 02-05-2009, 09:54 AM

We have an eclectic bunch of people here at TFP and many of us work in odd or interesting fields where we gain particular knowledge that most people just don't get exposed to in their lives. So let's share! What are one or two key bits of information that you've picked up along the way that you think most people don't know about, or advice they don't follow. I'm not talking about someone who is a dentist reminding you to brush and floss regularly... something more unexpected. Like a dentist telling us that a probiotic toothpaste could end all cavities (it can and does) and it was bought by a major consumer products company and filed away (it was... ask me about it later).

Anyway, on to my two tips to start the thread.

I work in pre-clinical vision research, so my tips are going to relate to preserving your vision and how we see what we see.

Tip #1: Always wear sunglasses outside... always! Why? Light-induced damage to the eye is a contributing factor to age-related eye disorders. And it is really simple to massively reduce the UV light that gets into your eyes just by wearing a pair of sunglasses. The take home message is if you want to preserve your vision into your 70s and 80s, wear sunglasses throughout your life. And for the purposes of this discussion, most $7 sunglasses from Rite-Aid are just as effective as $200 Oakleys.

Tip #2: If you are trying to navigate in the dark or dimly-lit situations, try shifting your gaze just to the side of the area you are trying to navigate. Why does this work? Most of our central vision (the area where we focus called the macula) is made up of color sensing cone cells. These are less sensitive to light than the rod cells which are more dense in the areas outside the macula. So by shifting your gaze right or left slightly, you are using the more light sensitive rods to see the 'target' and you can make out the doorway or toilet or tent more easily. Try it for yourself tonight.

I'll look forward to the education that it sure to pour forth from the font of TFP.

02-05-2009, 09:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY	Offer some unusual tips from your line of work We have an eclectic bunch of people here at TFP and many of us work in odd or interesting fields where we gain particular knowledge that most people just don't get exposed to in their lives. So let's share! What are one or two key bits of information that you've picked up along the way that you think most people don't know about, or advice they don't follow. I'm not talking about someone who is a dentist reminding you to brush and floss regularly... something more unexpected. Like a dentist telling us that a probiotic toothpaste could end all cavities (it can and does) and it was bought by a major consumer products company and filed away (it was... ask me about it later). Anyway, on to my two tips to start the thread. I work in pre-clinical vision research, so my tips are going to relate to preserving your vision and how we see what we see. Tip #1: Always wear sunglasses outside... always! Why? Light-induced damage to the eye is a contributing factor to age-related eye disorders. And it is really simple to massively reduce the UV light that gets into your eyes just by wearing a pair of sunglasses. The take home message is if you want to preserve your vision into your 70s and 80s, wear sunglasses throughout your life. And for the purposes of this discussion, most $7 sunglasses from Rite-Aid are just as effective as $200 Oakleys. Tip #2: If you are trying to navigate in the dark or dimly-lit situations, try shifting your gaze just to the side of the area you are trying to navigate. Why does this work? Most of our central vision (the area where we focus called the macula) is made up of color sensing cone cells. These are less sensitive to light than the rod cells which are more dense in the areas outside the macula. So by shifting your gaze right or left slightly, you are using the more light sensitive rods to see the 'target' and you can make out the doorway or toilet or tent more easily. Try it for yourself tonight. I'll look forward to the education that it sure to pour forth from the font of TFP. __________________ --- You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. - Albert Einstein ---