Have you ever thought about how we see? How do the pupils of the eyes respond to light? How do we move our eyes? All of these things are due to the central nervous system that works in harmony with the eye and its components so that we can see what is around us. In this article, we will learn about the nerves of the eye in more detail.

What are the eye nerves?

The eye nerves are considered cranial nerves, which are 12 pairs of nerves originating from the brain, and each of them has its own function, as there are nerves with sensory functions, and other nerves with motor functions, including those that have both functions, and two pairs of these nerves are devoted to The cerebrum, including the optic nerve, while the rest of the pairs branch out from the brain stem. The following are the most important nerves that give the eyes their function:

Optic nerve

The optic nerve consists of millions of nerve fibers that transmit visual signals to the brain in order for vision to take place. The optic nerve is connected to the retina (behind each eye).

his job: The optic nerve is essential for vision, and if it suffers from problems and diseases, this may affect the person’s ability to see, as it transmits nerve signals from the eyes directly to the brain, which processes this sensory information, so vision occurs.

Oculomotor nerve

The oculomotor nerve is the third cranial nerve CN III, which is the nerve that allows the movement of the eyes, and it comes out of the brainstem.

his job: Controls 4 of the muscles that control eye movement, allowing you to:

• Lifting the upper eyelid.
• Focusing the eyes on a specific image whenever it gets close to the eyes or vice versa.
• Respond to light by making the pupils smaller.
• Move the eyes up and down and in and out, as well as control their torsion.
• Eyes move quickly and move to focus on one thing rather than the other.
• Vestibule-ocular reflex, which is adjusting the movement of the eyes when moving the head.
• Optical tracking that allows you to fix your gaze on a moving object.

Trochlear nerve

The trochlear nerve, which transmits signals from the brain to the muscles, is the fourth cranial nerve, CN IV, and works in conjunction with the oculomotor nerve to control its movement.

his job: This nerve controls a muscle called the superior oblique muscle, which is one of the muscles that move the eyes.

Trigeminal nerve

This nerve is also known as the CN V, and the ophthalmic nerve, a sensory nerve, branches off from it.

his job: The ophthalmic nerve, which branches from the fifth nerve, gives sensation to the components of the eye, including the cornea, conjunctiva, lacrimal glands, and the skin of the eyelids and eyebrows. Here is an example to illustrate its importance:

If a foreign object such as dirt enters your eye, you will notice a rapid automatic response, and your eye will begin to blink rapidly to expel the object that is causing irritation.

Abducens nerve

It is also considered one of the nerves responsible for the movement of the eyes, as it is a motor nerve only, and it is known as the sixth cranial nerve CN VI.

his job: Stimulating the muscle responsible for moving the eyes outward so that we can see sideways.

The facial nerve

It is also known as the seventh nerve, CN VII, and it is the nerve responsible for facial expressions in general. It is a sensory and motor nerve, and many branches branch out from it, including the zygomatic nerve.

his job: The zygomatic nerve stimulates the muscles to close the eyes.

Diseases affecting the nerves of the eye

There are many diseases that may affect the nerves of the eye in general, including:

• Glaucoma or blue water, which is an increase in eye pressure, and may cause damage to the optic nerve, causing blindness.
• Infections such as herpes zoster or Lyme disease.
• Head injuries and trauma.
• Strokes.
• brain cancer.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Diabetes.
• ischemia;

How to preserve the nerves of the eye

There are many important instructions recommended by ophthalmologists to preserve the nerves of the eye, including:

• Visit the doctor to check the fundus of the eyes on an ongoing basis.
• Management of diseases that may affect nerves and vision such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Try to avoid head trauma.
• Quit Smoking.
• Eat healthy foods that contain nutrients that are good for nerves.
• Maintain a healthy weight.