Visual System Flashcards
Why do we have 2 eyes
Stereopsis = able to see in 3D
Widens our visual field
Number of layers of the eye
3
3 layers of the eye
Outer layer = sclera and cornea
Middle layer = uvea
Inner layer = retina
Sclera
Tough fibrous outer coat
Made of collagen
Why must the outer layer of the eye be transparent - cornea
Light transmission
Why must the outer layer of the eye be tough
Barrier to trauma and infection
Maintains shape of eye
What is the cornea and sclera made out of
Collagen
Outer layer of eye and refraction
Responsible for 2/3 refractive power of eye
Number of layers in outer layer of eye
5
5 layers of outer layer of eye
Epithelium
Bowman’s layer
Stroma
Descemet’s layer
Endothelium
What makes up the middle layer of the eye
Iris
Ciliary body
Choroid
Iris
Coloured part at front of eye
Contains dilator and sphincter pupillae muscles (pupillary reflexes)
Ciliary body
Glandular epithelium produces aqueous humour
Ciliary (smooth) muscle controls accommodation
Choroid
Blood supply to outer third of retina
Heat sink
Darkly pigmented so that it can absorb stray photons
Retina
Specialised organ of phototransduction
What makes up the retina
Macula lutea
Fovea centralis
Cones
Rods
How are collagen fibres laid out in sclera
Cross-linked creating opacity
How are collagen fibres in cornea laid out
Parallel - transparent
What percentage of outer layer if cornea
1/6 (continuation of sclera)
Limbus
forms the border between the transparent cornea and opaque sclera, contains the pathways of aqueous humour outflow, and is the site of surgical incisions for cataract and glaucoma
Where are stem cells for the cornea found
Limbus
What causes the choroid to be coloured
Contains melanocytes-
Ora serrata
serrated junction between the retina and the ciliary body. This junction marks the transition from the simple non-photosensitive area of the retina to the complex, multi-layered photosensitive region.
Intraocular lens
Suspended from cornea
1/3 refractive power
Which part of the eye never stops growing
Lens
Presbyopia
gradual loss of your eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects.
It’s a natural, often annoying part of aging.
Presbyopia usually becomes noticeable in your early to mid-40s and continues to worsen until around age 65
What percentage of the corneal depth is the stroma
90%
Which layers of the outer layer of the eye can regenerate
Epithelium (not endothelium)
Role of endothelium in cornea
Keeps it dehydrated - fluid removed to keep it clear
Water actively pumped out of stroma so transparent
Thickness of cornea
550 micrometers
Role of ciliary muscles
Holds lens in place by suspensory ligaments
Contract/relax to control accommodation of lens
Function of iris
Changes aperture of pupil
What fluid fills the anterior chamber of the eye (between cornea and iris)
Aqueous humour
What produces the aqueous humour
Ciliary bodies
Function of aqueous humour
Maintain pressure in eye
Anterior chamber of eye
Between cornea and iris
Posterior chamber of eye
Between iris and ciliary processes
Pigmented outer layer of retina
formed by a single layer of cells. It is attached to the choroid and supports the choroid in absorbing light (preventing scattering of light within the eyeball). It continues around the whole inner surface of the eye.
Neural inner layer of retina
consists of photoreceptors, the light detecting cells of the retina. It is located posteriorly and laterally in the eye.
Macula lutea
part of the retina that is responsible for sharp, detailed central vision (also called visual acuity)
Very high concentration of cones
Sphincter muscles
Make pupil smaller
Parasympathetic