In the animal kingdom, the ways of seeing the world are as varied as the number of species. Some animals see in black and white. Others are able to differentiate between hundreds of colours. And some have larger eyes that are positioned in different places on their face. With all of these variations, one thing is clear: in the animal kingdom, having the best eyesight can determine the survival of a species.
The human eye has great visual acuity, but compared to the sense of sight of other species, our vision isn’t as good. Unlike animals, humans have rational intelligence, which has allowed us to develop different tools to correct our vision problems. Thanks to contact lenses or glasses, humans can see details with the necessary clarity, detect dangerous situations and adapt better to circumstances. As animals do not enjoy the same advancements, excellent eyesight from the start is essential for survival.
In this blog we are going to look at the animals with the best eyesight, and share tips to help your human eyes climb up the pyramid of sight in the animal kingdom.
Ranking of the animals with the best vision
Eagles. It's no secret that birds of prey have superior vision, but the eagle reigns supreme. The eagle's large eyes, almost as big as human eyes, are the key to its visual capabilities. One of the elements that allow these birds to be excellent hunters are the foveas. The foveas are 2 points in the eyes that allow eagles to see to the front and sides simultaneously. Their field of vision is 340º, and although their strong point is day vision, their night vision is also better than humans.
Owls. Playing in the dark is a piece of cake for owls. Owls’ eyes have far more rods than other animals. This condition allows them to have perfect night vision. The position of the owls' eyes, always forward, allows them to have excellent binocular vision. Owls can move their heads in all directions, and their field of vision is 270°.
Mantis shrimps. If we had to name a sea creature among the champions of sight, it would be the mantis shrimp. This arthropod is capable of seeing ultraviolet, polarised, and even infrared light. As if it were a superpower, it can perceive elements impossible for humans. Their brains are developed in such a way that it possesses qualities that allow it to see almost the invisible.
Chameleons. At first glance, chameleons may seem lazy and not very clever, as their eyes are almost always closed. However, they have a quality that makes them fully deserving of being on this list. Chameleons are able to look one way with one eye and a different way with the other.
Cats. Cats, and in particular domestic cats, may have a quieter life compared to the other animals on this list. However, our feline friends enjoy night vision, as their pupils dilate much more than humans. They are able to absorb more light thanks to a layer of cells called tapetum lucidum. Cats' eyes have a 240° field of vision.
Gecko. The eyes of this small animal have the visual characteristics that any progressive lens would wish to have. Their visual system allows them to focus on objects at long distances, and their visual abilities are enviable for anyone with myopia. Geckos are able to differentiate colours even in the dark.
Crocodile. This reptile possesses one of the most enviable characteristics on the list, sleeping with one eye open. Always alert, it is able to monitor its surroundings even during a nap. Its horizontal stripe-shaped pupil allows it to have a wide field of vision without having to move its head.
Goat. Who would have thought that an animal as tame as the goat would have such enviable vision. Goats have rectangular pupils and their eyes are on the sides of their heads, so they have a wide field of vision and the ability to detect threats anywhere.
Tricks for being the best-sighted animal in the kingdom
Many of the visual abilities of these animals would be of great help in our daily lives. Who wouldn't want to be able to have night vision like cats to be able to raid the fridge without being noticed? Who wouldn't want to be able to see for miles to avoid running into your ex-partner?
We don't have a magic wand that will turn you into a crocodile or a goat for a few hours and make you see a thousand times better, but we do have some tips on how to keep your eyes in tip-top condition.
Get regular eye tests. It's important to have an eye test every 2 years. If you're a contact lens wearer, it's a good idea to keep your prescription up to date.
Practice a healthy diet. Eating foods that are healthy for your eyesight and rich in omega 3 will allow you to improve and maintain your vision.
Be responsible with the use of contact lenses. Being a contact lens wearer involves responsibility and routine care. If you are not disciplined and want to ensure you have the best eye hygiene, we advise that you wear daily contact lenses. Our team of opticians recommends everclear ELITE as the best option.
Take a break from using screens. Screens can be very harmful to our eyesight. Follow the 20-20 rule: look every 20 minutes at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Taking breaks from the screen, whether it is the television or the computer, is necessary for good visual health.
Protect yourself from the sun's rays. Ultraviolet rays can be harmful to your eyesight. Wearing UV-filtering contact lenses combined with polarised glasses will keep your eyes on track to climb the pyramid of the best eyesight in the animal kingdom.
