Children of a Thailand tribe who see with clarity beneath the waves (2016)

Re:Children of a Thailand tribe who see with clarity beneath... by GistNoesis on Friday August 30, 2019 @08:41AM (#20837957)

>She did notice, however, that the European kids would experience red eyes, irritated by the salt in the water, whereas the Moken children appeared to have no such problem.

There is a trick that can help reduce eye irritation by salt, which may explain this : Eyes must be closed when crossing the interface between air and sea (that's usually instinctive) and also closed when crossing from sea to air (usually counter intuitive).

The reason is the protective tear film get broken upon crossing when eye is open.

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Re:Children of a Thailand tribe who see with clarity beneath... by EForEndeavour on Friday August 30, 2019 @09:27AM (#20838348)

I hope I remember your HN comment next time I get to swim in an ocean. Until then, could any other ocean-swimmers confirm this trick?

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Re:Children of a Thailand tribe who see with clarity beneath... by GistNoesis on Friday August 30, 2019 @09:55AM (#20838612)

Remembering the trick before the salt get in the eye is also a trick to remember. Because once film is broken it needs either time to regenerate or rinsing with non salty water to regenerate.

You also need to avoid touching the corner of the eyes when your hands are covered of sea water. That usually the first reflex once the eyes are irritated, (if you must touch the corner of your eyes do so with your eyes closed). This trick is easier to learn, because when your eyes are not irritated and you touch the corner of your eyes with salty hands the irritation is instantaneous.

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