Anatomy and Refractive Conditions Flashcards
What is the canal of Schlemm?
It is a circular canal near the junction of the cornea and iris. Is it a passageway for aqueous humour from the anterior chamber into the venous bloodstream
What is Low Vision?
A condition caused by an eye disease where BCVAs are less than 20/70 or worse
What is legally blind?
BCVAs of 20/200 (the big E) or the visual field is 20% or less
What are the 3 tunics of the eye?
Sclera, Choroid and Retina
Describe the Sclera
The outermost protective, firm and fibrous layer of the eye. It is made of collagen
Describe the Choroid
The middle, nourishing layer of the eye. This layer has blood vessels to nourish the eye
Describe the Retina
The light sensitive, perceptive layer of the eye. 10 layers that convert light into electrical impulses. It is held in place by pressure from the vitreous humour
Describe the Ciliary Body
The ciliary body is made of the ciliary muscle and the ciliary body.
What is the ciliary muscle?
A ring-shaped muscle that is continuous with the choroid and helps in the process of accommodation and helps shape the crystalline lens
What is the ciliary process?
A part of the ciliary body that secretes aqueous fluid
Describe the Aqueous Humour
A watery fluid (n=1.336) that is found between the lens and the iris (in the anterior and posterior chambers) and nourishes the cornea. This is constantly being regenerated
Describe the Cornea
An avascular “window” at the front of the globe. This is the main refractive medium in the eye
What is the average refractive power of the cornea? How thick is the entire cornea?
+43.00 D (+42.00 to +45.00 D) which is equivalent to 2/3 of the eye’s refractive power. It is only 0.5 mm thick
What are the 5 (6) layers of the cornea?
1) Epithelium
2) Bowman’s Membrane
3) Stroma
4) Descemet’s Membrane
> 5) Dua Layer
6) Endothelium
Describe the Crystalline Lens
A semi-rigid, bi-convex transparent tissue that refracts the light to focus on the retina. The structure is similar to an onion as it is made of layers. It is held in place by the suspensory ligaments. This has a refractive power of ~12-16 D
What is the index of refraction of the crystalline lens?
n = 1.42
Describe the Iris
Iris = rainbow (in Greek). Circular, pigmented muscle that controls the pupil size with sphincter and dilator muscles
Describe the pupil
The central opening in the iris
What is the average size of the pupil (in normal lighting)?
3-6 mm
What is the trabecular meshwork?
A “screen” over the canal of Schlemm
What is the index of refraction of the cornea?
n = 1.376
What are the two types of photoreceptors in the retina?How many of each are in the eye?
Rods (130 million) and Cones (7 million)
What are Rods responsible for?
Low light vision (scotopic), peripheral vision and detecting movement
What is unique to the function of Rods?
They are interconnected therefore they have aplification
What are Cones responsible for?
Photopic vision (normal lighting), colour and central vision. Most of your cones are found in the macula
What is unique to the function of Cones?
Each cone is colour specific and they do NOT have amplification
Describe the Macula
5 mm diameter zone of the retina that is responsible for central acute vision. At the middle there is the fovea centralis
Describe the Fovea Centralis
The very central part of the macula that is responsible for extreme acute fine details ~ 3000 cones are found in the fovea
Describe the Ora Serrata
Junction fo the retina and ciliary body. This is a landmark (no function). This is a common place for retinal detachments
What is the Uveal Tract?
The 3 pigmented parts of the eye: the choroid, Ciliary body and iris