THE EYE
Structure and
function
Allows the front of the
eye to keep its bulging Yellow spot – has
shape. rods and cones that
allows one to see
Separates the cornea fine detail
from the lens.
Sends light vibrations
Focuses the image to the visual cortex in
on the retina. the cerebrum
Light passes through it The optic nerve leaves
the eye, no light
Controls the size of the sensitive nerves
pupil available
Allows the lens to change Together with the lens
shape during focusing focuses the image on the
retina
Retina – receives the
image
Fullof light
receptors
which are
sensitive to:
Colour
Light levels
Fovea is the main
focal point and has
Massive blood greatest density of
supply is also light receptors
needed
Retina receptors
The layers of the retina include the layer of cells called
photoreceptors
They are sensitive to light
Light receptors are called rods and cones
Cones respond to light at particular wavelengths i.e colour
Rods do not pick up any colour differences
At night, light is too dim to stimulate the cone cells and we
depend on the rods for vision.
Functioning of the eye
Theeye performs the following
functions:
Binocular vision
Formation of the image
Accommodation
Pupillary reflex
Binocular vision
Refers to the ability to focus on an object
with both eyes, creating a single image
During binocular vision the three pairs of
muscles on the outside of each eye enable
the eye to see three dimensionally.
The ability to perceive depth is known as
stereoscopy or stereoscopic vision
Depth of perception enables us to walk
down/up stairs.
Image formation
Light reflected from objects passes through the
cornea, aqueous humour, pupil, lens and
vitreous humour and falls on the retina where
an image is formed.
All the structures named above but pupil bring
about refraction such that the image is focused
on the retina
Structure responsible
for refraction are the
cornea and lens.
Rods and cones pick
up the images
accordingly as per
their specific
adaptations.
In this way light
stimulus is converted
into a nerve impulse
on the retina.
These impulses are
converted to the optic
nerve to the
cerebrum to be
Focusing
The lens job is
to make the
rays hit the
same point
The red rays
will be out of
focus
Bending light
Light is refracted
and bent to focus
it as it passes
through the lens
Lens thickness
can be changed
so the amount of
bending is
changed
Accommodation
Refers to the ability of
the eye to change the
shape (convexity) of
the lens to ensure a
clear image is formed
on the retina whether
the image is near or
distant.
to bend the light more
to focus it
Fat lens needed
Near vision
• When an object is less than 6 m away.
• the ciliary muscles contract
• the sclera is pulled forward
• the suspensory ligaments slacken
• the tension on the lens decreases
• the lens becomes more convex
• the refractive power of the lens increases
• a clear image is formed on the retina
Distant vision
When an object is 6m
away
Ciliary muscles relax
Sclera goes back to
normal position
Suspensory
ligaments become
taut
Tension on the lens
increases
The lens becomes
less convex
The refractive power
of the lens decreases
The clear image is
formed on the retina
Changing lens thickness
The lens is slightly Cilary muscles are
elastic, its relaxed attached to the lens, when
state is short and contracted they pull the
fat. lens thin
Controlling
light levels
Your eye are
very sensitive
and can be
damaged by
harsh light.
Your iris controls
light allowed into
the eye by
changing the
size of the pupil
In bright light
The circular muscles of the iris
contract
The radial muscles relax
The pupil constricts
The amount of light entering the
eye is reduced
In dim light
The radial muscles of the iris
contracts
The circular muscles relax
The pupil dilates
The amount of light entering the eye
is increased
Adaptation of the eye
The sclera is tough and non-elastic to protect the inner
structures of the eye.
The cornea is transparent allowing light to enter the eye.
The choroid has a brown pigment which absorbs the light
thus preventing reflection of light within the eye.
The iris has circular and radial muscles which alter the
size of the pupil.
The ciliary muscles help to change the shape of the lens
for accommodation
The suspensory ligaments holds the lens in position
The lens can refract the light to focus clearly on the
retina
The retina has rods and cones, to receive the stimulus of
light
The aqueous humor maintains the shape of the eye,
supplies the eye with oxygen and nutrients and plays a
minor role in the refraction of light.
Nature and treatment of
visual defects
Hypermetropia (long sightedness)
– Causes
Eyeball being too rounded
Inability of the lens to become more
convex – common in the elderly
Treatment
– Wear classes with convex lens
Refractive Errors - Hyperopia (Farsightedness
Hyperopia is more commonly referred to as
farsightedness and is the opposite of myopia. Those
who are farsighted have difficulty focusing on distant
objects and are even blurrier up close.
Myopia (short sightedness)
– Causes:
Eyeball being too long
Inability of the lens of the eye to become
less convex.
Treatment
Wear glasses with a concave lens.
Astigmatisation
– The front surface of the cornea is curved more in
one direction that in the other.
Symptoms:
Distortion or blurring of images at all
distances
Headache and fatigue squinting and
eye discomfort and irritation
Treatment
Prescription glasses are required if the
degree of astigmatisation is great
enough to cause eye strain and head
ache, or distortion of vision.
Cataracts
– Refers to: The
cloudy, opaque part
of the lens.
– not clear
understanding of its
causes.
Treatment:
– Surgical removal of
the lens.
– replacing the lens
with a synthetic
lens.
VISION WITH A CATARACT
Work sheets
The worksheets are to be part of daily assessment at
school.
The main aim of including them is to ensure that
learners are exposed to the questions as per national
assessment standards and hence prepare them for the
exam.
