CNS vision Flashcards
What is the sclera?
White portion of the eye
What is the cornea?
The sclera becoming clear in the middle of the eye
What is the pupil?
The opening that lets light in. Its size can be controlled for more or less photons
What is the vitreous humour?
Some sort of gelly that keeps the shape of the eye
What is the retina?
It’s the back of the eye where the photoreceptors are lined
What is the fovea centralis? why?
The space with the highest visual acuity. The cell bodies of the retinal circuitry are moved out of the way to provide a clearer image.
What is the optic disk?
It is the blind spot of the eye because it is the entry point of the optic nerve. Because of that, there are no receptors there.
When light reaches the eye, it […]. Explain why.
It refracts. This is because it’s striking the boundary between air and the cornea or lens, which have different properties.
What is happening when your eye focuses?
Light is being bent to show up at a single point behind the lens, at the back of the eye. (focal point)
Which parts of the eye are responsible for refracting the incoming light? Which one is dominant?
The cornea and the lens. The cornea refracts light more than the lens does.
What is accommodation in the eye? Which parts of the eye are responsible for it?
The lens of the eye can change its shape depending on the distance of the focal object from the eye, thus changing the amount of refraction. Notably, the cornea is fixed and cannot be accommodated.
Explain how accommodation in the eye works and what muscles are involved.
When an object moves out of your focal range, the lens will change shape to refract the light such that the object can get back into focus. This is controlled by the ciliary muscles, which can pull and release the lens.
What does it mean to be myopic?
It means that the person is nearsighted.
When a person is myopic, what is wrong with the eye?
The eyeball is too long, so the light entering the eye converges in front of the retina.
What kind of lens is used to correct myopia?
A concave lens
What does it mean to be hyperopic?
It means that the person is farsighted.
When a person is hyperopic, what is wrong with the eye?
The eyeball is too short, so the light entering the eye converges behind the retina.
What kind of lens is used to correct hyperopia?
A convex lens
What is astigmatism?
When the lens or cornea is not spherical, causing refraction problems.
What is presbyopia?
When the lens gets stiff and is unable to accommodate for near vision (can’t be round enough)
What is cataracts?
It is when the lens changes colour and becomes more opaque, making it harder for light to get in.
Where does transduction occur?
It occurs at the photoreceptors at the back of the eye, closest to the retinal pigment epithelium.
What are the major types of photoreceptors? What is their purpose?
Rods and cones. Rods are active in low light conditions, while cones are active in high light conditions and provide colour vision.