ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF

THE EYE
Prepared by:-

MR. SAIHOU SANNEH

RN, RM, BSN&RH, FWACN.
LECTURER- SONM
BANJUL, THE GAMBIA.
 INTRODUCTION
• The Eye is a special sense organ in the body.
• It is special because it does not have any
similarity.
• It is the organ of sight situated at the orbital
cavity of the skull.
• The eye is well protected in what is called the
bony socket on its wall except on its anterior
aspect.
• The eye is sphere/round in shape like a ball
of about 2.5cm in diameter. Only 1/6 of the
eye’s anterior surface is observable.
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES OF THE EYE
AND THEIR PHYSIOLOGY
• The External Eye structures includes
the following:-
• THE EYE LIDS
• THE CONJUNCTIVA
• THE EYE LASHES
• THE CILIARY GLANDS
• THE EYE MUSCLES.
VIEW OF THE EXTERNAL STRUCTURES
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES OF THE EYE AND
THEIR PHYSIOLOGY
• Externally, the eye is protected by the
following structures:-
THE EYE LIDS
• These are two thin movable membranes of
epithelial tissue found in the lower and upper
anterior aspect of the eye.
• The eye lids are covered externally with skin
and their inner linings consist of mucus
membrane.
• Between these layers is a dense plate of the
upper eye lid called LEVATOR PALPEBRAE
MUSCLE, which raises it.
 THE EXTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
• Surrounding both lids is a circular sphincter
muscle called ORBICULARIS OCCULI which
closes the lids when fully contracted.
• The medial and lateral angles of the upper and
lower eye lids are called MEDIAL and LATERAL
CANTHUS.
• The eye lids blink every few seconds. This
movement keeps the front of the eye free from
dust and helps to move the tears across the
conjunctiva sac thereby keeping it lubricated.
• In addition to protecting the eye from the
entrance of foreign bodies, the eye lids also
prevent the entry of excessive light.
 THE EXTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
THE CONJUNCTIVA
• This is a very thin mucus membrane. It lines
the entire internal surface of the eye lids and
is continuous with the anterior surface of the
eye ball to the outer edge of the cornea,
where they fuse.
• The conjunctiva has abundant blood supply.
• It secrets mucus which lubricates the eye
ball.
• Inflammation of the conjunctiva is often
accompanied by discharge and redness
called conjunctivitis.
 THE EXTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
EYE LASHES ..
• These are hairy structures located at the edge
of the eye lids. They are usually arranged in two
rows.
• They help to protect the edge of the eye lids and
also the eye ball from dust.
THE CILIARY GLANDS
• These are small modified sweat glands located
between the eye lashes.
• They secret an oily substance that help to
lubricate the eye ball.
• Infection of the hair follicles can result in a
condition called “STY”
 THE EXTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
TARSAL GLANDS
• These are larger sebaceous glands located
posterior to the eye lashes. They also secret oily
substance that help to lubricate the eye ball.
THE LACRIMAL APPARATUS
• These consist of the Lacrimal glands and a
system of ducts.
• The Lacrimal Glands lie superior and lateral to
each eye. They continuously secret a diluted
salt secretion called tears into the anterior
surface of the eye ball through several small
ducts.
THE EXTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
• The tears flush across the eye ball into the
lacrimal canaliculi medially, then into the
lacrimal sac, and finally into the naso
lacrimal duct, which empties into the nasal
cavity.
• The Lacrimal fluid (Tears) keeps the eye
moist thereby allowing free movement of the
lids.
• It helps to remove dust and foreign bodies by
acting as a mild antiseptic.
• It also help in the expression of emotions.
 THE EYE MUSCLES AND THEIR
FUNCTION..
There are six extrinsic eye muscles that are
attached to the exterior surface of each eye
ball. They help to control eye movements.
These are:-
1. Lateral Rectus - VI (Abducens)
• Moves eye laterally
2. Medial Rectus - III (Oculomotor)
• Moves eye medially
3. Superior Rectus - III (Oculomotor)
• Elevates eye or rolls it superiorly
 THE EYE MUSCLES
4. Inferior Rectus - III (Oculomotor)
• Depresses eye or rolls it inferiorly
5. Inferior oblique - III (Oculomotor)
• Elevates eye and turns it laterally
6. Superior oblique - IV (Trochlear)
• Depresses eye and turns it laterally.
INTERNAL STRUCTURES & ACCESSORIES OF
THE EYE AND THEIR PHYSIOLOGY
• The Internal structures include the following:-
• THE CORNEA
• THE SCLERA
• THE IRIS
• THE PUPIL
• THE CILIARY BODY
• THE CHOROIDS
• THE RETINA and
• THE LENS
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
AND THEIR FUNCTION
• The eye is a hollow sphere. It is constructed
in 3 coats called TUNICS (Outermost, middle
and Innermost).
• Its interior aspect is filled with a fluid called
ACQUOUS HUMOUR that helps to maintain
its sphere shape.
The outermost tunic of the internal eye
structures is the protective layer.
• It is made up of fibrous and dense
connective tissue. It has the following
structures:-
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
Cont’d…
THE CORNEA
• This is a thick fibrous tissue found under the
conjunctiva. It protects the eye from injury.
• It is avascular and in that, as has no blood supply.
• It contains pain fibers and receives its blood supply
by diffusion.
THE SCLERA
• This is also a hard layer and is almost continuous
with the cornea.
• It is an opaque structure and appears white in color.
It supports and protects the eye. It also maintains the
eye shape.
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES Cont’d…

The middle tunic of the internal eye structures

is made of vascular tissue and is sometimes
referred to as the UVEAL SYSTEM. It actually
provides blood supply to the eye structures.
It has the following structures:-
i) THE IRIS
• This is like the shadow of the eye. It is highly
pigmented and contains two types of smooth
muscle fibers.
• The Iris act like a diaphragm of a camera and
they help to regulate the amount of light
entering the eye. These fibers are:-
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
Cont’d…
Radial Fibers:- This type lie radially.
• In distant vision or dim light, the radial fibers
contract, dilating or enlarging the pupil and
allowing more light to enter the eye.
Circular Fibers:- This type encircle the iris. In
close vision or bright light, the circular fibers
contract and constrict the pupil.
ii) THE PUPIL
• The pupil is just the opening leading to the
back of the eye through which light passes. It is
round in shape and located in the center of the
eye ball.
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
Cont’d..
THE CILIARY BODY
• These structures are found at the edge of the
uveal tract and attached to the lens. They are
of two types, the ciliary process and ciliary
muscles.
THE CHOROID
• This structure is entirely vascular. It provides
blood to the retina.
The innermost tunic of the internal eye
structures is entirely sensory. It provides the
sensory information to the eye structures. It
contains the following structures:-
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
Cont’d,,
iii) THE RETINA
• The retina is a transparent neural layer.
• It extends interiorly to the ciliary body.
• It is the film of the eye and in that, produces
vision for the brain and contains the
photoreceptors for the vision. These are the
RODS and CONES. They begin the chain of
electrical events, transfer it to the bipolar
cells and then to the ganglion cells.
• These photoreceptors are distributed
throughout the neural retina.
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
Cont’d..
• The Rods are about 120 million. They are the
photoreceptors and receive black and white
colors. They help one to see in very dim light
and can perceive movements and shape.
• The Cones are about 6 million. They contain
the color receptors.
• The retina contains the OPTIC DISC (Blind
spot). This is the area where the eye blood
vessels and nerves meet.
• On the lateral end of each optic disc (Blind
spot) is the MACULA LUTEA (Yellow spot).
This area has a high density of cones.
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
Cont’d…
• In the center of the Macula Lutea is the Fovea
Centralis. This is a very small pit of about
0.5mm in diameter and contains more cones.
It is the area of greatest visual acuity.
THE LENS
• The lens is a biconvex structure that is held
in position by suspensory ligaments called
CILIARY ZONULES that are attached to the
ciliary body. Light entering the eye is
focused on the retina by the lens.
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
Cont’d…
• The lens divides the eye into two segments
(anterior & posterior)
• The Anterior segment to the lens contains a
fluid called ACQUOUS HUMOR.
• This fluid is formed by the capillaries of the
ciliary body.
• It is a watery solution that keeps on
exchanging rapidly at every 90 minutes.
• It helps to maintain the intra ocular pressure
of the eye and provides nutrients for the
avascular lens and cornea.
 THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
Cont’d…
• The Posterior segment contains the
VITREOUS HUMOR. This substance is not so
watery but jelly-like.
• This fluid is reabsorbed into the SCLERAL
VENOUS SINUS called CANAL OF SCHLEMN
which is a drainage duct located at the
junction of the sclera and cornea.
• The vitreous humor reinforces the posterior
part of the eyeball, and helps to keep the retina
pressed firmly against the wall of the eyeball.
THE INTERNAL EYE STRUCTURES
 BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE EYE
• The eye is supplied by two different vascular
conduits.
• Both systems derive blood from the ophthalmic
artery, which is a branch of the internal carotid
artery.
• The choroidal system (includes the choroid,
posterior ciliary arteries) is one major blood
supply to the eye.
• The other major blood supply to the retina is
from the central retinal artery.
• VENOUS RETURN is from the corresponding
veins.
 THE END

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