The Human
Eye
The Human Eye
Refractive index of lens
different for each
wavelength (colour)
Cool colours (blues)
appear closer; warm
colours (reds) further
away
Agree?
The Human Eye
The Human Eye
Structure & Function
IRIS
coloured part of eye
controls light entering
PUPIL
black hole in iris
where light enters
Structure & Function
SCLERA
whites of the eye
supports eyeball
provides attachment
for muscles
LENS
converging lens
allows us to see
objects near and far
Structure & Function
CORNEA
transparent bulge over
pupil
focuses light (refracts)
onto retina
RETINA
internal membrane
contain light-receptive
cells (rods & cones)
converts light to electrical
signal
Blind Spot
On retina where optic
nerve leads back into
the brain
No rod or cone cells
Other eye
compensates for this
area
Try this test to prove
you have a blind spot
Close left eye and approach
screen while staring at the
letterswatch the dot!
Structure & Function
OPTIC NERVE
Transmits electrical
impulses from retina to
the brain
Creates blind spot
Brain takes inverted
image and flips it so we
can see
Accomodation
This is the focusing of light by the lens
Dilation & constriction
Photoreceptor
Cells
RODS
120 million cells
detect brightness
(black & white)
for night vision
CONES
6 million cells
detect colour (RGB)
GANGLION CELLS
Detect movement and
patterns
Normal Eye Focus
Blind spot
Video
YouTube
The Human Eye and How the Human Eye
Works
Focusing Problems
HYPERMETROPIA
Far-sightedness
Problem seeing close
objects
Distance between lens
and retina too small
Light focused behind
retina
Corrected with
converging lenses
Far-Sighted (Hyperopia)
Focusing Problems
PRESBYOPIA
Form of far-sightedness
Harder for people to
read as they age
Lens loses elasticity
Corrected by glasses
with converging lenses
Focusing Problems
MYOPIA
Near-sightedness
Problem seeing objects
far away
Distance between lens
and retina too large
Light focused in front of
retina
Correct with diverging
lenses
Near-Sighted (Myopia)
Diseases of the Eye
ASTIGMATISM
Eye cannot focus an
objects image on a
single point on retina
Cornea is oval instead
of spherical
Causes blurred vision
Some types can be
corrected with lenses
Diseases of the Eye
GLAUCOMA
Group of diseases
Affects optic nerve -
pressure
Loss of ganglion cells
Gradual loss of sight
and eventual blindness
Check eyes regularly
Can be treated
Diseases of the Eye
CATARACTS
Clouding forms in lens
due to denaturing of
lens protein
Obstructs passage of
light
Caused by age, chronic
exposure to UV, or due
to trauma
Removed by surgery
Diseases of the Eye
COLOUR BLINDNESS
unable to fully see red, green or blue light.
There are different causes of colour blindnesss:
deficient colour vision the condition is genetic and has been
inherited from their mother (a recessive allele)
as a result of other diseases such as diabetes and multiple
sclerosis or
acquired over time due to the aging process, medication etc
Diseases of the Eye
COLOUR BLINDNESS
Diseases of the Eye
COLOUR BLINDNESS
Diseases of the Eye
COLOUR BLINDNESS
Vision Correction
CONTACT LENSES
Artificial lens placed
over cornea
Same as glasses
Corrects for both near
and far-sightedness
Also used for cosmetic
purposes (eye colour,
Hollywood)
Vision Correction
LASIK
Laser Assisted In Situ
Keratomileusis
Refractive surgery
using laser
Corrects near and far-
sightedness and
astigmatisms
