Eyelashes are well known for their ability to protect eyes from dust. But scientists have now discovered another feature that shows how well designed these hairs happen to be.
Researchers from the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have experimented with eyelashes and fibers that mimic eyelashes to learn more about how eyelashes help eject water away from eyes. In so doing, they learned how eyelashes can help keep our vision clear when we need to walk in the rain.
The outer layer of an eyelash or cuticle is designed so that water can easily flow from the root to the tip but not in the opposite direction. The reason for this is that the hairs have overlapping scales like shingles on a roof. The scientists discovered more force was required to pull eyelashes out of water when they pulled against the scales rather than with them. Another discovery made by the researchers was that the hairs are hydrophobic, which means water tends to bead up on them and then roll off.
Eyelashes have approximately the shape of a brachistochrone. A brachistochrone is a type of curve that minimizes the time it takes to go between two points when under the force of gravity. Using nylon fibers, the scientists found that water droplets slid off a brachistochrone faster than they did over straight fibers or fibers which had different types of curves.
Until now eyelashes haven’t been recognized for their ability to protect eyes from water droplets. In addition to being helpful in a rainstorm, eyelashes could also prove helpful when bathing, sweating or crying.
One word of caution is necessary, however. Beauty treatments can affect the protective features of eyelashes. Mascara can make eyelashes attract water instead of repelling it. Also, when curling eyelashes, their helpful shape will be altered.
Comment: It is easy to praise the Lord for giving us His more obvious gifts such as our loved ones, the sun that gives us warmth and light, the nutritious food we enjoy, and our amazingly designed brains. But something as simple as eyelashes may not be so easy to appreciate.
But the Bible says, “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalm 104:24). Not just the big creatures, but the little ones too!
There are many other less obvious gifts which God has designed for us that we may ignore. How about the genes that make our bodies what they are? What about gravity which is invisible but we know we need it so we don’t go floating off into space.
And what about plain old dirt? Of course, when we call it soil it takes on more value. Soil provides food, water, and a habitat for living organisms. It also helps regulate the Earth's temperature and protects against erosion. And now we know about the value of our little eyelashes.
But, of course, there are gifts God has given us that are far more valuable than these earthly presents, gifts that we can’t directly see–God’s love, forgiveness, and salvation. For all of His gifts, we will want to praise and thank the Lord.
However, we can’t forget the gift of God’s Word, His Scriptures, the Holy Bible. “Also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17. We wouldn’t know the way of salvation without it.
By Warren Krug
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
How cold does it have to get before Arctic foxes begin to shiver?
Arctic foxes don’t shiver until the temperature dips to almost minus 100 degrees.
Source: Tom Hennigan, “Outfoxing the Freeze,” Kids Answers [January-March, 2025], page 6.
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