Eye anatomy

Understanding how vision works When surveyed about the five senses — sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch — people consistently report that their eyesight is the mode of perception they value (and fear losing) most. Despite this, many people don’t have a good understanding of the anatomy of the eye, how Read on for a basic description and explanation of the structure (anatomy) of your eyes and how they work (function) to help you see clearly and interact with your world. How the eye works In a number of ways, the human eye works much like a digital camera: • Light is focused primarily by the cornea – the clear front surface of the eye, which acts like a camera lens. • The • The eye’s crystalline lens is located directly behind the pupil and further focuses light rays. Through a process called accommodation, this lens automatically helps the eye focus on near and approaching objects, like an autofocus camera lens. • Light focused by the cornea and crystalline lens (and limited by the iris and pupil) then reaches the retina – the light-sensitive inner lining of the back of the eye. The retina acts like an electronic image sensor of a digital camera, converting optical images into electrical signals. The optic nerve then transmits these signals to the visual cortex – the part of the brain that controls our sense of sight. Human eye anatomy (seen from above)

How Do the Eyes Work? The eyes work in the same way as cameras. Light is reflected when you focus on an object and enters the eye through the cornea. As the light passes through, the dome-shaped nature of the cornea bends light, enabling the eye to focus on fine details. In addition to the retina, other visual components such as the pupil, iris (colored part of the eye), and lens help focus light rays on the retina. When light entering the eye hits the retina, special cells known as photoreceptors convert it into electrical signals. 1 The optic nerve carries these electrical impulses from the retina to the visual cortex (in the brain). The brain then interprets the impulses into the images you see. Eye Anatomy (16 Parts of the Eye & What They Do) The following are parts of the human eyes and their functions: 1. Conjunctiva The Conjunctivitis, often known as pink eye, occurs when this thin membrane becomes inflamed or swollen. Other eye disorders that affect the conjunctiva include: • Pinguecula (accumulation of protein and fat deposits in the conjunctiva) • Pterygium (a noncancerous growth that develops on the conjunctiva) • Subconjunctival hemorrhages (broken blood vessels) By generating mucus and tears, the conjunctiva helps lubricate the eyes. It also aids in immunological monitoring and prevents microorganisms from entering the eye. 2. Sclera The 2 On the exterior, the sclera is smooth and white, but on the inside, it is brown and has grooves that help properly attach ...