It can be very beneficial for a person to understand the anatomy of the eye, especially when considering certain procedures to correct vision problems or to treat certain medical conditions. In fact, most Austin ophthalmologists will give you a bit of an anatomy lesson as they look at your eyes. This is an overview of the make-up of your eye, beginning with the front most layer and working toward the back.
Conjunctiva- This is the mucus membrane on the outermost part of your eye. It is home to a large number of blood vessels and is meant to protect the layers beneath.
Cornea- Thin and transparent, the cornea plays a huge role in how we see the world. It is responsible for reflecting the light received from the outside environment, so the eye can send the appropriate messages to the brain. A corneal transplant can be done when this area of the eye is damaged.
Sclera- This is more commonly referred to as the ‘white of the eye’. It is also very strong and resilient when compared to other areas of the eye and is meant to act as a protective barrier.
Iris- This part of the eye is paid the most respect in day-to-day life because it is the colored portion of the eye. It also works to regulate how much light passes to the layers beneath by dilating or shrinking the size of the pupil.
Pupil- The black circle at the center of the iris is, essentially, nothing more than a hole, which light can pass through.
Lens- Much like a camera lens, the lens of the eye is our tool for focusing at different distances.
Vitreous Body- A clear gel-like substance makes up the bulk of the eyeball. Seated in the center of everything else, this mass can actually shrink in volume as we age.
Retina- Home to cones and rods, the retina surrounds the back half of the vitreous body. The cones are more or less centered in the thin mass, and pick up stronger light signals, whereas the rods absorb softer light and play a bigger role when trying to see in the dark. This area is more susceptible to damage in people diagnosed with diabetes, which is the reason for frequent recommended visits to the diabetic eye doctor.
Choroid- Located within the back of the sclera, this is a layer thick with blood vessels that keep the retina, macula, and optic nerve nourished. This is where wet macular degeneration (the growth of abnormal vessels) often begins.
Fovea- Centrally located within the macula, it is a dense pocket of visual cells. The fovea provides the crisp picture we need when doing things like watching television or reading a book.
Macula- Home to the fovea, the macula plays a big role in having crisp, clear vision, due to its many, densely packed receptors.
Optic Disc- This is also known as the ‘blind spot’ and is the point of attachment for the optic nerve.
Optic Nerve- A glaucoma specialist is primarily concerned with the optic nerve, which is the pathway for messages to the brain. It is created of approximately one hundred thousand nerve threads and can be seriously damaged if glaucoma is left untreated.
Broberg Eye Care
4207 James Casey St # 305
Austin, TX, 78745-1193
(512) 447-6096
