BIOLOGICAL OBJECTIVITY OF LIFE
Inherent to life are two basic biologic characteristics, which can be observed in all living creatures, from bacteria to blue whales, from earthworms to elephants, including humans. First one is survival and longevity, and the second is reproduction and gene transfer.
Every living creature has an innate desire to live as long as possible. Longevity in turn depends on two further factors: one is to consume nutrients for energy needs and the other is to avoid premature death by using defense mechanisms. Humans have added additional good health measures to increase longevity. However, these measures are not part of basic biology.
Intake of food for energy needs is a universal requirement. All animals, birds and insects consume food, which is then converted to ATP or energy molecules. Humans are no exception. We consider eating as part of daily routine. It is part of biology seeking nourishment at regular intervals. Hunger is a warning signal to the brain indicating that it is time to refill the stomach.
Humans with high intelligence plan for food availability ahead of time. Much of the industries in agriculture, restaurants, supermarkets, beverages, shipping and transportation are related to food. All celebrations or festivals center around food. Many of the wars and immigration problems are for steady supply of food and safety. Also, humans have learned various measures to improve their body health, thereby doubling life expectancy in the last 100 years.
The second factor in prolonging longevity is to avoid premature deaths from injuries, accidents and other mishaps. Animals have response of fight or flight built into their system. Without thinking, they run away from dangers or attack the offender. A deer or mouse runs fast, as soon as it perceives a potential harm. A tiger or dog would attack. Even plants have thorns and poison to protect their seeds. Humans have been fighting each other from time immemorial for control, safety, food and mates. All the wars, forts and moats are designed to attack or defend.
Other items of interest for longevity are movement, or exercise, sleep or rest, and community interaction. These can be observed in animals, birds and insects also. Community life helps with group defense and survival.
The second basic objectivity of all living creatures has been reproduction and gene transfer. Why did nature prefer to have reproduction instead of infinite prolongation of life? One explanation is that the aged cells and aged bodies were defective, disabled and destined to die. Since time limit is set for all living creatures, the only way to allow perpetuality is by reproduction. Instead of keeping the old disabled being, would it not be better to have a fresh new existence, just like you would want to sell a 50-year-old car and buy a new model.
Reproduction was made easy for unicellular organisms like the bacteria. They just split into two and doubled. For multicellular organisms, male-female conjugation was mandated. The progeny had a mix of male and female, with features of both parents, but not quite the same. Probably nature or the creator wanted a remix of the genes for each generation, to perform better than the previous generation. Imagine how the world will be otherwise. If all creatures including humans were allowed to clone themselves repeatedly, there would be many identical dictators, artists and criminals. Attraction between male and female was designed on purpose. Even flowers and fruits are meant for distribution of pollen or seeds.
For some creatures, once the reproduction and gene transfer is completed, the mission of life is completed. Certain male insects die immediately after fertilizing the female. Polygamy is common among animals, as well as certain human clans – the purpose being increased number of progenies. Fight for finding the mate is another feature that can be observed. Certain antelope must kill other male challengers to become the chosen among the female antelopes.
Raising the offspring was a function of gene transfer, to protect the young ones from dangers and nurture them. After childbirth, this became the mission for rest of the life for many adults. Humans using their intelligence became engrossed in working and earning to provide a safe environment to raise children. Care of the young ones can be observed among animals and birds. Once the babies grow up and become independent, they fly away and restart their own life objectives. Extension of this protection included families and then communities and countries.
Those species that could not live long and failed to procreate became extinct over a period. These two primary objectivities of life can explain what we see in our everyday walk in life.
EYE CARE
May your Eyes be at their BesT
The month of May has a way of waking everything up. The light feels different. Colors look richer. The days stretch just enough for you to say, “let me just sit outside a little longer,” and suddenly it’s dark and your phone battery is at 2 percent.
And in all of this, we forget something simple — vision isn’t just about seeing well enough, it’s about enjoying what you see.
We clean out closets in spring. We service our cars. Some of us even promise to go to the gym (at least for the first week of May). But our eyes? We just expect them to show up and perform, no questions asked.
Maybe this month is a good time to change that.
May means outdoors. Golf courses, beaches, gardening, long drives, or just pretending to walk while actually checking emails on your phone. With all that sunshine comes UV exposure. Now, your eyes don’t complain loudly about it, they’re polite that way. But over time, UV light quietly contributes to aging changes inside the eye.
So yes, your sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory (even though they absolutely can be). They’re sunscreen for your eyes. And if you’re wondering — no, squinting is not a long-term solution. That’s just your eyes saying, “we need help here.”
Polarized lenses? Even better. Especially around water or while driving — less glare, more comfort, fewer “why is everything so shiny?” moments.
While we’re outside more, let’s be honest, we’re also still glued to screens. Phones don’t take summer vacations. If your eyes feel dry, heavy or just “tired for no reason,” it’s not your imagination.
Here’s a simple trick that actually works (and no, it’s not a gimmick): every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It sounds almost too simple. That’s why most people don’t do it. Think of it like stretching during a long flight. Your eyes need that break just as much.
And then come allergies. May is when pollen shows up like an uninvited guest … and refuses to leave. Itchy eyes, watering, redness — you know the routine. And what do we all instinctively do? Rub our eyes like we’re trying to start a fire. That only makes things worse.
A better approach is surprisingly simple, use lubricating drops, keep windows closed when pollen is high, and wear sunglasses outdoors. Yes, again. They’re doing double duty here. And if it just won’t settle down, it may not be “just allergies.” Sometimes dryness or surface irritation hides behind that same discomfort.
One of the most common things people say is, “I can manage.”
You can manage blurry vision. You can manage glare at night. You can manage constantly adjusting your glasses.
But the question is, why should you have to?
If lights are streaking, halos are bothering you, or you’re working harder to focus than you used to, your eyes are not being dramatic. They’re being honest.
And here’s the good news, eye care today is not what it used to be. Many things that once meant “just live with it” now have thoughtful, customized ways to improve them. Not one-size-fits-all. Not rushed. Just designed around the individual.
There’s a quiet shift happening. People are no longer satisfied with “good enough vision.” They want clarity. Comfort. Ease. Not because they’re picky but because once you experience better vision, you realize what you were missing.
Now, this doesn’t mean everyone needs something drastic. Sometimes it’s as simple as updating your glasses, treating dryness, or fine-tuning how your eyes work together. And sometimes, yes, it means exploring more advanced options like next-generation Lasik and custom cataract surgery. The key is not to assume. The key is to find out.
In the meantime, a few small habits go a long way. Drink water, your eyes like hydration more than your coffee does. Eat color, greens, oranges, reds, if it looks like a rainbow, your eyes approve. Blink more often, sounds funny, but most of us forget, especially on screens. Wear protection when needed. And every now and then, check in on your eyes — not because something is wrong, but to keep it that way.
At the end of the day, vision is not just medical. It’s emotional.
It’s how you watch your child from across the field, how you read a message from someone you love, how you notice the ocean, the green on a golf course, or the expression on someone’s face.
And sometimes, we don’t realize what we’re missing, until we see it clearly again.
As May unfolds, with all its light, color, and energy, it’s a good moment to pause and ask: am I just seeing, or am I truly experiencing what I see?
Because clear vision isn’t just about eyesight.
Arun C. Gulani, M.D., M.S., is director and chief surgeon of Gulani Vision Institute in Jacksonville. He can be reached at [email protected] or visit www.gulanivision.com