Each bulging eye of a damselfly has thousands of lenses.


Inspiring Eyes Engineers have set their sights on cool animal eyes. Tey study how various eyes work, getting inspiration for new inventions. Scientists discovered two unique features


of super-sensitive gecko eyes but only in geckos active at nighttime. First, their eyes contain only cones and large ones at that. No wonder they see colors better than most other animals. Teir eyes are also “multifocal.” Tat means they can focus on different distances at the same time. Maybe by studying how geckos’ eyes work will lead to inventions that help human vision. Today’s human bionic, or artificial, eyes


use a tiny video camera to mimic the retina’s function. And their design may get a boost from dragonfly eyes. Even without sharp vision for seeing details, a dragonfly’s ability to track fast movements could help improve bionic eyes. Te ability to quickly sense motion may enable visually impaired people to navigate and respond to their surroundings.


A Bright Future Engineers use research into how eyes work to invent better products such as multifocal contact lenses and improved camera lenses. Someday, scientists might be able to invent a mini camera that can take pictures from inside the human body. Or eventually, make a bionic eye that works just like the real thing. Understanding light and sight may provide the inspiration to help us prepare for and see a brighter future.


WORDWISE


binocular vision: vision in which animals having two eyes use them together


focus: to make a clear image in the eye reflects: to bounce back light rays refracts: to bend light rays visible light: light waves humans can detect


JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 17


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