Anatomy of Attraction: The Science Behind Love at First Sight

February 2013 — Ever wonder about the meaning behind the phrase "the look of love"? When you're gazing into your partner's eyes this Valentine's Day, pay some thought to the science behind love at first sight.

The connection between eyes and love is well-documented in poem and prose since time immemorial, the stuff of whimsical fairytales and heroic legends. But while beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, evidence increasingly suggests our brains are hardwired to both display and notice visual "clues" when it comes to a potential love interest.

One such indicator of visual attraction is larger pupils. Studies show that our pupils dilate when we feel excitement and attraction. When our gaze falls on a person or object of interest to us, the brain releases a surge of dopamine (a chemical messenger that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers), which triggers pupil dilation.

Men perceive women with larger pupils as more romantically appealing. A 2007 study published inHormones and Behavior showed that a woman's pupils dilate the widest during ovulation. From a biological perspective, because this characteristic is developed under the influence of estrogen, it signifies youth and therefore fertility. Research suggests that men instinctively use such indicators, among other visual cues, to assess the "value" of potential partners — as a way to seek fertile and healthy mates.

Similarly, researchers at Edinburgh University found that women at their monthly fertility peak are most attracted to men with larger pupils. According to the study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, larger pupils signal a man's interest, and therefore he is more indicated as a partner because interest is mutual. Conversely, the study found that when women are not at their most fertile, men's pupil size make very little difference when looking for a mate.

Lingering eye contact also is a strong indicator for a potential love match. A 2009 study published inArchives of Sexual Behavior found that a man who rated a woman as attractive held eye contact for an average of 8.2 seconds, which increased his chances of "love at first sight," researchers said. If a man's gaze was around 4 seconds, the research suggests he was less than impressed.

When it comes to eye color and attraction, green eyes are seen as most attractive, according to an AllAboutVision.com eye color poll of more than 46,000 people. But when it comes to matters of the heart, research suggests most people do not have an eye color preference. In fact, it appears "the look of love" is all about the pupils.

So this February 14th, look into your Valentine's eyes — chances are his or her pupils will be dilated! — A.S.

Source:http://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/anatomy.htm#lookoflove

Study on childhood blindness in Bhutan

http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=39254

Recent Observations

Pathological Myopia

Sershong village in Mongar is noted to have a higher prevalence of pathological myopia.We have screened and prescribed spectacle to seven people in the teenage group with myopia ranging from -12 DS to -24 DS. We have also come through them that there exist more people with similar problem in their village.The need for screening and treating such cases is indicated to prevent ametropic amblyopia and related retinal complications.

Increased Diabetic and Hypertensive Retinopathy cases

Diabetis no longer hangs the tag as "rich man's disease".In the past few months we have screened increasing number patients with DM (type II) and Hypertension for retinopathy. Screened patients came people from all walks of life.Coordinated with the medical specialist and Diabetic clinic,we are trying to screen all the newly diagnosed cases and following up with the old cases as per the standard protocol.Cases requiring secondary/tertiary care are referred to ophthalmologist for management.We have been observing more cases with diabetic retinopathy and hypertensive retinopathy of recently.

Allergic Comjunctivitis

One of the most common complain the patients visit Eye OPD theses days is "itching of the eyes". Amongst the many causes for the same,allergic conjunctivitis stands the commonest on our examination and observation.While most respond well to oral and tropical medication,few remain unhappy.

Why teachers wear sunglasses?

A teacher suffering from viral keratitis goes to school wearing a sunglass.
Student A: Why do our teachers wear sunglasses?
Student B: Because we are too bright.

(A real incident,as narrated by a teacher working in a nearby high school)

Video games 'can improve vision'

Who says it's bad for your eyesight? Playing action video games can boost an aspect of adult vision previously thought to be fixed, a US study shows. Researchers found playing the games improved the ability to notice even very small changes in shades of grey against a uniform background. "Contrast sensitivity" is important in situations such as driving at night, or in conditions of poor visibility. The Nature Neuroscience study raises the possibility of using a video game training regime to improve vision. Contrast sensitivity is often one of the first aspects of vision to be affected by ageing.  There is some evidence that the visual system can learn  John Sloper Moorfields Eye Hospital It can also be affected by conditions such as amblyopia, known as "lazy eye". Improving contrast sensitivity usually requires physical changes in eye optics, through eye surgery, glasses or contact lenses. A team from the University of Rochester studied expert video game players playing games involving aiming and shooting at virtual targets. They found that they had better contrast sensitivity when compared with players who played non-action video games. These results were not because people with better contrast sensitivity were more likely to be action video game players - giving non-video game players intensive daily practice in video game playing improved this group's performance on tests of contrast sensitivity. Crucially, the improvements in this study were sustained for months or even years in some cases, suggesting that time spent in front of a computer screen is not necessarily harmful for vision, as has sometimes been suggested. Unpredictable events Lead researcher Dr Daphne Bavelier said it was likely that several aspects of playing video games combined to produce the beneficial effect. The games immersed players in an environment where they had to be constantly ready to react to unpredictable events, and where visual information had to be responded to instantly in very precise physical ways. In addition, the mere fact that the games were stimulating and rewarding should not be overlooked. Dr Bavelier hopes to make use of the discovery to develop new ways to treat amblyopia. The hope is that by using video games researchers can encourage the two eyes to work together, and restore the stereo vision which is lacking in people with a lazy eye. Professor Gary Rubin, of the University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, said he was surprised by the findings. He said other work had shown that it was possible to train people to improve some aspects of their vision - for instance, to widen the visual field. But he said: "Contrast sensitivity is a very basic visual function, and usually they are more difficult to alter in adulthood. "This is a small study, showing a small effect, but it was carefully done, and merits further investigation." John Sloper, a consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, said other researchers were also examining the potential for using video games to treat amblyopia. He said: "There is some evidence that the visual system can learn."

Please don't say “PEE” in Ophthalmology

English writers all agree

On two “H”s in Ophthalmology.
There are two “L”s as well, you’ll see;
That’s in the root, four in Ophthalmologically.
The first “L” may be spoken quietly
As in calm or psalm or palmistry.

Count them if you are not clear.
Thirteen letters must appear
To make the noun, sixteen in all
For the modifier Ophthalmological
And then two more come naturally
For spelling Ophthalmologically.

The trick, the test, the special bit
Is the magic of pronouncing it.
The “P” is softened by the “H” to make the sound of “-ff”.
The next two letters are, of course, an ordinary “-th”.
Think “RudolPH THe red-…” and you’ll not be wrong.
The “PHTH” is a consonant diPHTHong.

Written by Bruce Lowden, 1993

Massive rise in Asian eye damage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17942181

Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia - short-sightedness - a study suggests.

Eye care activities in the east

Surgical eye camp team from MRRH has been touring the six eastern Dzongkhags conducted surgical eye camps.Till date the team has traveled to Riserboo Hospital,Tashiyangtse Hospital and Samdrup Jongkhar Hospital and operated about 84 eyes and seen more than 1400 OPD cases. About 85% of the surgeries were SICS with PCIOL(for cataract).Similar camps would be conducted in other hospitals in the days ahead.

Meanwhile a team for Comprehensive School Health Program(CSHP) comprising of a staff each from eye, dental and ENT units has started the annual CSHP activities in the Dzongkhag.

Ophthalmic team from MRRH conducts surgical eye camp at Riserboo Hospital

A team of eyecare professionals from MRRH, comprising an ophthalmologist,an optometrist,two ophthalmic technicians and a trainee ophthalmic technician,were in Riserboo Hospital for five days starting 5th March for a surgical eye camp.The team had busy hours with a successful 20 cataract and seven other surgeries performed.

The total of 352 OPD patients registered for the comprehensive eye examination.Students requiring refractive corrections were also given spectacle frames and lenses free of cost.

Ophthalmic team for the Riserboo Surgical eye camp

Tie a unmovable microscope on a table,hold the table and perform surgery;

6/6 vision is still possible.

Ophthalmic team from MRRH takes a snap with the smiling patients undergone cataract surgery.

NETRA

http://web.media.mit.edu/~pamplona/NETRA/