The Ayes Have It —Or Maybe It’s the Eyes

The ayes have it—or maybe it’s the “eyes.”  And these eyes come in many forms.

Sure, there are the eyes we blink and tear up with emotion. But eyes are everywhere: in sewing kits (hook and eye), on tool benches (eye bolts), in detective stories (private eyes), and even in storms (the eye of the hurricane). We’ve got walleyes, tiger’s eye stones, evil eyes —and  that feeling when someone’s got their eye on you. Not to be overlooked is my grandmother’s advice,  “There’s always an eye”—a reminder to behave in public, because someone’s always watching.

It’s no surprise that eyes have made their way into our music playlists, too. How many songs with “eye” in the title can you name off the top of your head? Here are a few to jog your memory:

🎵 Lyin’ Eyes – Eagles

🎵 Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli

🎵 Eyes Open – Taylor Swift

🎵 Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

🎵 Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes

But beyond the lyrics, our actual eyes—the ones in our heads—do extraordinary work every day.  And yet, as powerful as they are, they’re not perfect. They can be fooled.

The Eye-Dea Behind Illusions

Have you ever stared at one of those spinning optical illusions and thought, “It’s definitely moving”? Surprise—it’s not. Or looked at that famous duck-rabbit drawing and seen a bunny… then a duck… then both? Your brain flips the image, and both feel real.

That’s the trick of illusions. Our eyes aren’t just passive cameras—they’re storytellers. They grab info from the world, then hand it off to your brain to interpret. And sometimes, your brain gets a little… creative.

That’s why a still image can look like it’s swirling, or why those trippy “which line is longer?” puzzles leave you second-guessing your own eyesight.

No Illusions Here

Eye health often flies under the radar—until something goes wrong. According to the CDC, about 12 million Americans over age 40 have vision impairment, many of them unaware until it’s too late. Conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic eye disease often develop silently, with no early symptoms. But regular eye exams can catch these problems early, when treatment is most effective.

That’s why July—Eye Awareness Month—is a perfect reminder to take a closer look at eye health.

In Focus

Ready to focus on your eyes? Start here:

1. Book that eye exam. Even if you see 20/20, it’s worth checking in. Many vision-threatening conditions show no symptoms at first.
2. Rock those shades. Choose sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays—even on cloudy days.
3. Try the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
4. Eat smart. Leafy greens, carrots, fish, and foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E are all eye-friendly.
5. Take control. Managing diabetes and high blood pressure can help prevent vision loss.

Final Focus

Our eyes do more than help us see— they help us decide what’s real, what’s important, and what’s true. So next time you catch yourself staring at an optical illusion or singing “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” it’s a nice little reminder to appreciate your eyes—and all the quiet wisdom they bring.

In a world flooded with information, seeing clearly is about more than 20/20 vision —it’s about staying thoughtful, too.
This July, take a closer look. Care for your eyes. And take a second look when something feels off.

After all, when it comes to your health—and your perception—it’s not just the ayes that matter. It’s the eyes ! 👁