By Lubna Abdel-Aziz More poetic than words, more expressive than gestures, they converse at the greatest distance and for the longest time, without fatigue or satiety. Notwithstanding the power of body language in all its forms, the language of the eyes is the most permeating. Only 25mm each in diameter, eyes have been feared, valued, and glorified in virtually all cultures. While all senses are necessary, to see what we touch, smell, hear and taste renders the eyes the most precious. Eyes, actually, do not see objects, instead, they see the light they reflect, and only in bright and dim light. We cannot see with no light. Much like a camera, light enters the eyes through transparent tissues, transforms the rays into electric signals, which are then transmitted to the brain. So fundamental for our existence, nature provides the eyes with several protectors. Carefully nestled in a cone-shaped cavity in the skull, the orbit surrounds the eye with fatty tissue as cushions against blows or accidents. The eyelids with their eyelashes provide further protection on the surface, screening out dust, dirt, and other harmful particles. Blinking is also a protective reflex action, tears keep them clean, and the mucus and fluid help lubricate nature's masterpiece of creation. Profusely inserted in every modern vernaculum, it was the ancient Greeks that defined eyes as "windows of the soul", but throughout the ages man has been obsessed with their powerful attributes, as well as their evil properties. One of the most universal and enduring fears, is the "evil eye". Since eyes "mirror the soul", the reflection of one's image in another's pupils, brought dread and fear in the heart of early man, lest his likeness might be stolen by an enemy, or an evil being. During the Middle Ages, Europeans were so fearful of the repercussions of the evil eye, that any person with a "dazed, crazed, or canny look" such as gypsies, was liable to be burned at the stake. This notion was widespread in the Middle East, as well as throughout India and Far Eastern cultures. Much of man's knowledge originated in ancient Egypt, so did the magic and myth surrounding the eye. In Egyptian mythology the God Horus' eye was "wounded, wrenched in battle by the fearsome Seth", but later restored symbolising eternal life. Belief in its magical powers survives to this day. Kohl was the ancient Egyptian's antidote to ward the evil eye, another custom that has endured. Athletes today paint dark circles around the eyes to absorb sunlight. Mascara was therefore a method of beautifying, as well as protecting against the harsh desert sun, and perchance, a piercing evil eye. Throughout history the eyes have always been elaborately adorned, as the chief focus of the face. Ancient Egyptians, preferred green eye-shadow made from powdered malachite; Kohl made from burnt almonds, black oxide of copper, and brown clay ochre, darkened the eyebrows and lashes. There is romance and lyricism in the language of the eyes, manifest of our thoughts and emotions. More lulling than a million lullabies, more symphonic than a million rhapsodies, the eyes have hypnotised artists and lovers, throughout eternity. Silent tongues of love, eyes give you away, even if your words deny what you say. The colour of the eyes has also inspired special significance. Dark blue eyes are sensuous, light blue eyes are flirtatious, brown eyes are desirable, green eyes are fiery and inventive; black eyes are the rarest, most striking, exuding power and authority, or so say the symbologists. Even the shape and expression add to our knowledge of the inner self. Beware wandering shifty eyes, their owner is restless and unreliable, so is the roving and unsteady eye, masking true intentions. Favour eyes that gaze at you steadily, showing forthrightness and stability. Cat's eyes are upward slanting belonging to opportunists; closer-set eyes to the narrow-minded; wide-set eyes show balance; deep-set eyes reveal intensity and obsessiveness. It is imperative that such invaluable possessions be well-protected. After the age of 40, healthy eyes must be examined once a year, but early signs of discomfort, irritation, redness, blurred vision, should be tended immediately. Many of the simple irritations of the eyes are treated with eye drops. The earliest eye solution was prepared in China 5,000 years ago, made from the extract of the mahuang plant. Ophthalmologists today know that the plant's active ingredient was ephedrine hydrochloride, what we use in drops today for minor allergies and irritations. The invention of eyeglasses did not appear until the 1280s. The inventor is unknown, but Italian glass-blower Allessandro Spina is the most likely candidate. By mid-1400s, Italians called the new concave glass eye disk lenticchie because of its resemblance to their popular lentil grain, and for more than 200 years glasses were known as "glass lentils", origin of today's "lens". As for darkened glasses, they were not at all intended to protect our precious peepers from the mid-day sun but were invented by the Chinese prior to 1430, to conceal the wearer's eye expressions from the judge in a court of law. Popularity of sunglasses is a phenomenon of the 20th century. Every adjective, every action, every colour, every mood, has been applied to eyes. They love, they laugh, they burn, they hate, they curse, they weep, they twinkle, they dance, they light, they fade. What other human organ can lay such claims? How do you explain, that when we die, they close our eyes! Should one have ventured to explore a subject so general, so vast, so infinite? Once done, it became necessary to proceed, even as inadequately as this space allows. The value of such a subject however, is not to be disposed of by the scratches of the pen. Alluring in its gaze, imposing in its vistas, this magnificent creation lightens our lives, soothes our sorrows, and brightens our path, especially when filled with gentle compassion for our fellow man. Drink to me only with thine eyes And I will pledge with mine -- Ben Jonson (1572-1637)
