The Eye

Figure 1: Diagram of a vertical section through the human eye

Table 1: Table showing the functions of the human eye structures

Eye Structure Functions

Conjunctiva Transparent front surface which covers the eye; continuous with
surface of eyelids and protects the cornea

Cornea Transparent; allows light to enter

Iris Disc of pigmented muscle with a hole in the centre

Pupil Hole in the centre of the iris through which light passes

Lens Found behind the iris

Suspensory Holds lens in place

ligaments

Ciliary muscle Attached to the suspensory ligaments; can contract to change the
shape of the lens

Aqueous Space between the cornea and lens that is filled with watery fluid
humour

Retina Found at the back of the eye; has sensory cells (rods for black and
white and low light; cones to see colour) to receive light and send
impulses to the brain

Blind spot Small area of the retina without rods or cones

Optic Nerve Takes impulses to the eye

Choroid Thin, pigmented layer behind retina which absorbs light passing
through the retina

Sclerotic Thick layer outside the eyeball which supports the eye

Vitreous Jelly-like material found in the space between the lens and the
humour retina

Refraction: The bending of light rays by the cornea and lens to focus on the retina. In
persons with normal vision, light rays from both near and distant objects are focused
on the retina.

How an Image is formed in the Eye

Light enters the eye through the transparent cornea, passes through the aqueous
humor, the lens, and the vitreous humor, where it finally forms an image on the
retina. When these photoreceptors are stimulated by light, they produce electrical
signals that are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve.

Figure 2: Illustration of how the eye forms an image

Eye Defects

Table 1: Table showing some common eye defects, their descriptions how they can
be corrected

Eye Defect Description Correction

Myopia Short-sightedness; near objects Glasses or contacts with

can be seen but far objects concave lens (lenses which
cannot be seen cause light to diverge) so that
the image is formed further
behind the eye lens

Hypermetropia Long-sightedness; far objects can Glasses or contacts with convex

be seen but near objects cannot lens to ensure light is focused on
be seen the retina by converging the
light before it enters the eye

Astigmatism Uneven curvature of the cornea; Glasses or contacts with

occurs with myopia or concave or convex lens
hypermetropia

Blindness Lack of sight; may result from None generally but glasses;
birth defects; infections, poor medication; and surgery in some
diet or an accident involving instances.
dangerous objects or chemicals

Colour Inability to distinguish certain No known treatment

Blindness colours (red, green, blue or a mix
of them); caused by inheritance,
aging or accident
Figure 3: Diagrams showing how to correct long and short sightedness

Accommodation
This is the ability of the eye to change its focus from distant to near objects (and vice
versa). This process is achieved by the lens changing its shape. Accommodation is the
adjustment of the optics of the eye to keep an object in focus on the retina as its
distance from the eye varies.

Caring for the Eye

 Use of protective eyewear to keep dangerous chemicals or objects away from
the eye
 Do not look directly at the sun
 Wear sunglasses with UV protection
 Visit eye doctor (ophthalmologist) regularly for check-ups
 Properly apply prescribed ointments or drops in the case of infection or
damage
 D not read or watch the television in poorly lit rooms