Eyes Flashcards
from which embryonic structure are eyes derived?
from the diencephalic part of neural tube
what are the three main layers of the eye?
fibrous layer
vascular layer
sensory layer
what are the components of the fibrous layer of the eye? how much of the outer layer do each of them make up?
sclera (posterior 5/6)
cornea (anterior 1/6)
what are the components of the vascular layer of the eye?
choroid
ciliary body
iris
what is the sensory layer of the eye made up of?
retina
what is the cut off point of the retina called, in the anterior segment of the eye?
ora serrata
what are the two functions of the ciliary body?
accomodation - changing shape of crystalline lens
secretion of acqueous humour
what is vitreous humour, where is it found and what is its function?
it’s a gel found in the posterior segment of the eye, its function is to provide cushioning for the retina
what is the normal intraocular pressure?
21mmHg
what structures attach the crystalline lens of the eye to the ciliary body?
zonules
what muscle allows the ciliary body of the eye to contract?
ciliaris muscle
how is the ciliaris muscle innervated?
through oculomotor nerve (CNIII)
what are the five layers of the cornea of the eye?
- non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
- base membrane: Bowman’s membrane
- stroma
- Descemet’s membrane
- single endothelial layer
what is the clinical significance of Bowman’s membrane in the cornea of the eye?
if cornea is scratched/damaged superficially with Bowman’s membrane left intact = no lasting damage, epithelium will heal
if cornea is scratched more deeply with a disruption of Bowman’s membrane = scarring and opacity
what is the clinical significance of the endothelial layer of the cornea?
if its cell count decreases (from 2500cells/mm2), there aren’t enough pumps to keep out acqueous humour. result: acqueous humour in cornea, cornea becomes opaque
what is the main pathology behind corneal opacity of the eyes?
acqueous humour in cornea, caused by a weakening of the corneal endothelium
where is acqueous humour reabsorbed in the eye?
reabsorbed by trabecular meshwork in the angle of anterior chamber and shunted into Schlemm’s canal, before joining episcleral veins
what makes corneal transplants easier compared to other organ transplants, and why?
there is no risk of organ rejection, since the cornea is avascular
what makes the cornea transparent?
very neatly arranged collagen fibres in the corneal stroma;
lack of blood vessels;
endothelial pump keeping out acqueous humour
what is the normal amount of epithelial cells in the endothelial layer of the cornea in the eye?
2500 cells/mm2
what is Schlemm’s canal in the eye?
a tube going all the way round the cornea beyond the angle of the anterior chamber, draining away acqueous fluid
how is the eye subdivided in regions, and using which landmarks?
lens: anterior and posterior segments
anterior segment further subdivided by iris - anterior and posterior chamber
where does the lacrimal gland sit and why?
above eye on temporal side of orbit. if it was on the nasal side, tears would drain into the lacrimal sac straightaway without going over the cornea
where is the lacrimal sac and where does it drain?
it sits between the orbit and the nasal cavity
drains into the inferior meatus
which nerve supplies parasympathetic fibres to the lacrimary gland above the eye?
facial nerve (CNVII)
where is the fovea centralis found in the retinal layer of the eye?
directly at the back opposite the lens on horizontal plane
what is the structure and function of the fovea centralis in vision?
it’s a depression in the retina with increased exposure to rods/cones, so allows for more sensory input into the optic nerve axons = better focus
which type of photosensory cells are packed close together at the fovea centralis in the eye?
cones
which photosensory cells are more sensitive to low lighting?
rods
how many layers make up the retina?
10 layers
which are the most important layers of the retina involved with vision?
- nerve cell layer (ganglion cells) - receives sensory information and relays it to brain as CNII
- rods/cones layer (photosensory cell layer) - picks up sensory information
- pigment epithelial layer - support for rods/cones layer)
what is the crystalline lens of the eye made up of?
neatly arranged collagen fibres which allow for transparency
what is the blood supply for the retina of the eye?
outer layers - supplied by choroid vasculature
inner layers - supplied by central retinal artery
what is the shape of the crystalline lens in the eye?
biconvex
what are the muscles of the eye involved with accommodation? what are their actions?
constrictor pupillae (circular) - constricts pupil dilator pupillae (radial) - dilates pupil ciliaris - changes lens shape
what three actions take place in the eye during accommodation?
- lens changes shape
- pupil constricts
- eyes converge
what is the main pathology behind cataracts?
disruption of collagen fibres of lens in the long term, without the ability of the tissue to repair itself as it’s avascular
what is an important factor in cataract development?
lens absorption of UV rays
what is the tarsal plate in the eye, and what is its function?
it’s a rigid plate found in eyelids, which keep the LPS from scrunching up the eyelids
what is the meibomian gland in the eyelid, and what is its purpose?
gland in inner eyelid secreting oil, which covers tear film on top of conjunctiva and keeps it moist (stops it from evaporating
where are the meibomian glands found?
just inside the conjunctival mucous membrane
what is the purpose of the conjunctiva?
secreting oil for moistening the eye (meibomian gland)
contributing to tear film
providing immune surveillance
stopping pathogens reaching eyeball
what are the layers of the tear film on top of the conjunctiva of the eye?
oily layer
acqueous layer
mucous layer
what is the purpose of the tear film on top of the conjunctiva of the eye?
remove debris
maintain cornea moist
immune surveillance
keep smooth surface for light refraction
what prompts blinking the eyes?
the acqueous layer of the tear film evaporating, causing the mucous and oily layers to touch and break up the acqueous layer
what is the cut off time for normal and abnormal tear film break up time during blinking?
less than 10 seconds - normal
more than 10 seconds - abnormal
what is the concept of refraction when talking about vision?
it’s the ability of light waves to bend when they reach the cornea and lens of the eye
which structures in the eye allow for refraction, and which one is more efficient at bending light?
cornea and lens
cornea more powerful
what are the ways light can be refracted ? through what shapes do they need to pass in order to bend that way?
- light rays converge when they go through a biconvex shape
- light rays diverge when they go through a biconcave shape