Eyes: eye anatomy, functions, parts and diseases

eye anatomy

The eyes are considered one of the very complex organs in its anatomy due to the fact that it contains many parts, and because it is one of the very important organs in the human body.

What are the eyes?

The eyes are the organ responsible for vision in the body. During vision, the different parts of the eye work together to focus the focus of the eye on the things to be seen so that these visual receptors are sent to the brain, thus allowing you to see movement, images and depth.

Many people consider the eye to be their mode of perception, the organ they cannot afford to lose. The human eye can see about 200 degrees in all directions, whether from the front or the sides, which is known as peripheral vision. The eye can see millions of colors in varying degrees.

The shape of the eyes

The eye is in the form of a compact ball slightly pointed anteriorly. In adults, the diameter of the eye is about 1 inch. Eye colors vary greatly from person to person, and genes are the primary control in this, so we find green, blue, black and brown colors. Some people are distinguished by the presence of some lines and spots in the iris of the eye, and this is in different colors.

Parts of the eye in the human body

The eyes, as we have explained, are complex organs, and many people do not know eye anatomy well, and for this we will explain to you the parts of the eye in detail:

1- The iris

It is the colored circular area in the eye. The iris surrounds the pupil of the eye, and controls the light entering the eye. Depending on the color of the eye, it can create any shade, whether green, blue, brown, etc.

2- Cornea of ​​the eye

This layer is made of water and collagen, and it is a transparent, clear and sensitive layer that covers the iris and is filled with nerve endings. Tears are the first line of defense to protect the cornea and keep it moisturized.

3- The pupil of the eye

This part represents the small black circle that is located in the middle of the iris, and it is a window or hole for light to pass through. This part can expand or shrink and narrow in order to control the proportion and amount of light entering the eye.

4- Sclera

The sclera is the white parts of the eye, known as the whites of the eye. This part surrounds the iris of the eye, and this part is the one that covers the largest area of ​​the eyeball.

5- Conjunctiva

This part is a very thin transparent tissue that covers the part of the sclera, and the conjunctiva also lines the eyelids from the inside, and it has a role in protecting the eye from foreign bodies.

6- The lens

It is a lens of a flexible and transparent layer located behind the pupil and iris. It controls the focus of light entering the eye, and sends this light to the back of the eye.

7- Retina

This segment is a number of cells, lining the inner part of the back of the eye, that sense light and convert it into nerve signals. The retina contains:

  • Rods, which are the cells that aid in vision in low light.
  • Cones, which are the cells responsible for detecting color.

8- The macula

Also known as cones, it is a small area, which is considered part of the retina, and the macula is what helps central vision, as it works to clarify fine details and different colors accurately.

9- Optic nerve

It is the nerve located behind the retina, and it transmits signals or receptors from the retina to the brain, in order to interpret the signals sent to it to tell you what you see.

10- Muscles

The eye muscles control the position of the eye, as well as its movement and the rate of light that enters it, in addition to controlling the eye’s ability to focus.

11- Vitreous body

This part of the vitreous is filled with a transparent gelatinous fluid that completely fills the eye, protecting the eye and maintaining its shape.

The function of the eyes in the human body

The functions of the eyes are to help with vision, where the different parts of the eye work together and help to see images and send receptors to the mind in order to translate it in the form of something complete and we see the image clear, this complex process occurs very quickly in the case of looking at anything.

The most common eye disease

The eye is one of the organs that is exposed to hundreds of different diseases, problems and disorders. Some of these conditions may cause pain, while others may cause weakness or loss of vision, such as:

vision changes

This condition is related to age, because the eye changes with age, so many elderly people suffer from eye floaters, flashes, cataracts and retinal detachment. In addition to presbyopia, which leads to loss of vision near the eye, and this condition may start from the age of 45 years.

eye cancer

This disease can result from various tumors inside the eye, such as melanoma or retinoblastoma.

infection

This condition causes irritation, such as conjunctivitis known as pink eye, inflammation of the eyelids, chalazion, dry eyes, boils and swelling. In addition to the watery eye that results from the eye not filtering the tears properly or if the eye is dry or irritated.

Inherited disorders

These conditions are hereditary, such as retinitis pigmentosa, which may lead to blindness.

Various injuries to the eye

These injuries are corneal abrasion and retinal detachment, and these conditions may result from eye trauma. Eye injuries and accidents may lead to bleeding from the eye and blackening of the eye, irritation and burns, and foreign bodies may cause damage to the eye.

Eye muscle problems

Eye muscle problems may be squint, whether it is around the crossed eye, or around the lazy eye, and in this case changes may occur in the shape of the eye’s appearance, and this may lead to problems and changes in proper vision.

vision problems

These problems change the way things are seen, such as:

  • Astigmatism and farsightedness, which affects the way and how light is refracted inside the eye and the way images are projected.
  • Color blindness, which makes it difficult or impossible to see colors in their natural form.
  • Conversion insufficiency, which causes both eyes to be unable to work simultaneously.
  • Night vision problems that make it difficult for some people to see at night, sometimes known as night blindness.

Other eye diseases

There are many other diseases that may affect the eye directly, such as congenital cataracts with which a person is born, optic nerve atrophy and glaucoma, in addition to corneal problems and diseases that affect it.

There are also some eye disorders that are caused by problems in other parts or areas of the body. The most famous of these problems that affect the eye are:

  • Autoimmune disorders, including thyroid disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis and Sjogren’s syndrome.
  • Heart problems and blood vessel problems, such as high blood pressure, arterial problems or high cholesterol.
  • Genetic disorder, such as Marfan syndrome.
  • Diabetes, this disease may cause diabetic retinopathy.

Ways to maintain eye health

There are some steps that help you maintain eye health, including:

  • Conducting periodic and regular eye examinations to monitor eye health and vision, and to detect any problem early.
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight, by following some nutritious and balanced health systems.
  • Quit Smoking.
  • Keep wearing protective eyewear while playing certain contact sports, as well as when doing any activities or tasks that could damage your eyes, such as working with chemicals or playing with fireworks.
  • Refer to a specialized doctor if you feel any changes in vision, problems or disturbing symptoms, to check on the eye and receive the necessary care.

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