Showing posts with label C.Parts of the Eye. Show all posts
Showing posts with label C.Parts of the Eye. Show all posts

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Sclera

The sclera is commonly known as "the white of the eye." It is the tough, opaque tissue that serves as the eye's protective outer coat. Six tiny muscles connect to it around the eye and control the eye's movements. The optic nerve is attached to the sclera at the very back of the eye.
In children, the sclera is thinner and more translucent, allowing the underlying tissue to show through and giving it a bluish cast. As we age, the sclera tends to become more yellow.

Conjunctiva


The conjunctiva is the thin, transparent tissue that covers the outer surface of the eye. It begins at the outer edge of the cornea, covering the visible part of the sclera, and lining the inside of the eyelids. It is nourished by tiny blood vessels that are nearly invisible to the naked eye.
The conjunctiva also secretes oils and mucous that moisten and lubricate the eye.

Iris


The colored part of the eye is called the iris. It controls light levels inside the eye similar to the aperture on a camera. The round opening in the center of the iris is called the pupil. The iris is embedded with tiny muscles that dilate (widen) and constrict (narrow) the pupil size.
The sphincter muscle lies around the very edge of the pupil. In bright light, the sphincter contracts, causing the pupil to constrict. The dilator muscle runs radially through the iris, like spokes on a wheel. This muscle dilates the eye in dim lighting.
The iris is flat and divides the front of the eye (anterior chamber) from the back of the eye (posterior chamber). Its color comes from microscopic pigment cells called melanin. The color, texture, and patterns of each person's iris are as unique as a fingerprint.

Pupil


The pupil is the variable-sized, black circular opening in the center of the iris that regulates the amount of light that enters the eye. It appears black because most of the light entering the pupil is absorbed by the tissues inside the eye.

The pupil, oddly enough, is not even a structure. It's merely a hole in the center of the colored part of your eye (the iris). Via the muscles in the iris, the pupil controls the amount of light entering the eye by getting smaller (constricting) in bright light, and getting larger (dilating) in dim light.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Crystalline Lens


The crystalline lens is located just behind the iris. Its purpose is to focus light onto the retina. The nucleus, the innermost part of the lens, is surrounded by softer material called the cortex. The lens is encased in a capsular-like bag and suspended within the eye by tiny "guy wires" called zonules.
In young people, the lens changes shape to adjust for close or distance vision. This is called accommodation. With age, the lens gradually hardens, diminishing the ability to accommodate.

Cornea


The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped window covering the front of the eye. It is a powerful refracting surface, providing 2/3 of the eye's focusing power. Like the crystal on a watch, it gives us a clear window to look through.

Because there are no blood vessels in the cornea, it is normally clear and has a shiny surface. The cornea is extremely sensitive - there are more nerve endings in the cornea than anywhere else in the body.


The adult cornea is only about 1/2 millimeter thick and is comprised of 5 layers: epithelium, Bowman's membrane, stroma, Descemet's membrane and the endothelium.
The layers of the cornea:
The epithelium is layer of cells that cover the surface of the cornea. It is only about 5-6 cell layers thick and quickly regenerates when the cornea is injured. If the injury penetrates more deeply into the cornea, it may leave a scar. Scars leave opaque areas, causing the corneal to lose its clarity and luster.
Boman's membrane lies just beneath the epithelium. Because this layer is very tough and difficult to penetrate, it protects the cornea from injury.
The stroma is the thickest layer and lies just beneath Bowman's. It is composed of tiny collagen fibrils that run parallel to each other. This special formation of the collagen fibrils gives the cornea its clarity.
Descemet's membrane lies between the stroma and the endothelium. The endothelium is just underneath Descemet's and is only one cell layer thick. This layer pumps water from the cornea, keeping it clear. If damaged or disease, these cells will not regenerate.
Tiny vessels at the outermost edge of the cornea provide nourishment, along with the aqueous and tear film.

Retina

The light sensitive part of the back of the eye that corresponds to the film in a camera.
Just like the film in a camera, the retina captures images upside down and backwards and sends them to the brain for interpretation.
The retina consists of ten layers of neural tissue that is actually considered an extension of the brain.
The center of the retina called the macula, an oval stucture of about 1.5 mm diameter. In the center of the macula is a small "pit" called the fovea. The fovea contains the most sensitive portion of our vision. It is responsible for all fine detail that we see.
For a more detailed explanation see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retina#Diagnosis_and_treatment

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Graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1996. I work for Southwestern Eye Center, a large ophthalmology practice in Arizona.