THE STRUCTURE OF THE EYE

DR WANJEMA
• The eye is the organ responsible for vision
• Eyeballs are fairly round organs cushioned by
fatty tissues and they sit in two bony sockets
inside the skull. This helps to protect our eyes
from injury.
The Muscles of the Eye
(Extraocular muscles)
• Superior rectus
– Attached to the eye at 12 o’clock
– Moves the eye up.

• Inferior rectus
– Attached to the eye at 6 o’clock
– Moves the eye down.
• Lateral Rectus
– Also called the external rectus
– Attaches on the temporal side of the eye
– Moves the eye toward the outside of the head (toward the
temple)
• Medial Rectus
– Also called the internal rectus
– Attached on the nasal side of the eye
– Moves the eye toward the middle of the head (toward the nose)
• Superior Oblique
-Attached high on the temporal side of the
eye.
-Passes under the Superior Rectus.
-Moves the eye in a diagonal pattern - down
and in.
-Travels through the trochlea
• Inferior Oblique
- Attached low on the nasal side of the eye.
-Passes over the Inferior Rectus.
-Moves the eye in a diagonal pattern -- up
and out.
The Nerves That Control the Muscles of the
Eye
• Third Cranial Nerves- does most of the eye
movement as well as pupil and lid function

• Fourth Cranial Nerves- does the superior

oblique

• Sixth Cranial Nerves -responsible for the

lateral rectus
 Lids and Lashes
• Main function is the protection of the eye.

• They also help to distribute tears which wash

and lubricate the eyes.
The Lacrimal System -- Tears
• Tears produced by the lacrimal gland
• Tears flow across the eye and drain down into
the nasal cavity via the nasolacrimal duct.
 The Refractive Structures
• These structures bend the light so that a clear
image is produced.
• They are:
– tears
– conjunctiva
– cornea
– aqueous humor
– lens
– vitreous humor
 Chambers of the Eye
1 . Anterior chamber – from cornea to iris
2. Posterior chamber – from iris to zonules and lens –
•These two are responsible for the production and drainage of
the aqueous which is produced continuously throughout your
life.
•Aqueous is produced in the posterior chamber by the ciliary
body. Travel through the iris to drain out the anterior chamber
(through the Canal of Schlemn). Helps in nourishing the lens
and cornear
3. Vitreous – gel like –gives the eye its shape. Not produced –
damage or loss can cause retinas to fall or tear
 Layers of the eye
• Sclera and Cornea
• uveal tract
– Choroid
– Iris
– Ciliary body

• Retina

• Three layers –outer, middle, and inner

 Sclera and Cornea
• Form the outer layer of the eye – 1/6 cornea and
5/6 sclera
• Cornea is clear- sclera is white (they transition at
the limbus)
• Very tough and provide protection
• Sclera maintains shape of the eye
• Cornea is the major refractor of the eye
• Conjunctiva: a thin layer of tissue that covers the
entire front of your eye, except for the cornea
 Uveal Tract
• Choroid – vascular layer, major supplier of
nutrients and blood supply to the eye
• Iris – Controls light that enters eye
• Cilliary body- produces aqueous humor to
bathe lens and provide nutrients to lens and
cornea and provides accommodation
 The Retina
The retina is made up of cones and rods
• Rods -peripheral retina
o Motion, low light, no color
• Cones -central retina
o Highly centralized in the fovea
o Color
o Fine detail

• There are essentially three types of Cones in humans - red,

green, and blue
• We have approx 18 times more rods than cones (4.5 million
cone cells and 90 million rod cells)
 The Optic Pathway
• Begins at the optic nerve.
• Impulses cross and partially split at the optic chiasm.
• After the chiasm, it becomes the optic tract.
• Lateral geniculate bodies (sensory ray stations)
• Some fibers go to the colliculus (located in the mid
brain)
• The other fibers fan out into the visual cortex which is
located at the top and back of the brain. (occipital
cortex)
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