Visual systems Flashcards
(131 cards)
What are the different optical and functional anatomical components of the eye?
- Upper eyelid
- Lower eyelid
- Palpebral fissure
- Lateral canthus
- Medial canthus
- Caruncle
- Sclera
- Limbus (border between cornea and sclera)
- Iris
- Pupil
What different types of tears do we have?
Basal, reflex and emotional (crying)
What is the neurotransmitter of the lacrimal system?
Acetylcholine
Describe the process by which tears are produced in the lacrimal system
- Tears prodcued by the lacrimal gland
- Drain through the 2 puncta, openings on medial lid margin
- Flow through superior and inferior canaliculi
- Gather in tear sac
- Exit tear sac through tear duct into nasal cavity
What is the most superficial structure of the eye?
the “tear film”
What is the role of the tear film?
- Maintains smooth cornea-air surface
- Oxygen supply to cornea- normal cornea has no blood vessels
- Removal of debris (tear film and blinking)
- Bactericide
Describe the structure of the tear film
Composed of 3 layers:
- Superficial lipid layer: to reduce tear film evaporation - produced by a row of Meibomian Glands along the lid margins, v.thin- keeps the tear on the eye
- Aqueous (water) layer: tear film (tear gland) It delivers oxygen and nutrient to the surrounding tissue and it contains factors against potentially harmful bacteria- forms the main bulk of the tear film & thickest layer- acts as a lubricant
- Mucinous Layer corneal surface - maintains surface wetting- keeps film closely attached to eye
The mucin molecules act by binding water molecules,
to the hydrophobic corneal epithelial cell surface.
Which layer in the tear film protects the tear film from rapid evaporation?
Lipid Layer
What is the conjunctiva?
- Thin, transparent tissue that covers the outer surface of the eye
- It begins at the outer edge of the cornea, covers the visible part of the eye, and lines the inside of the eyelids
- It is nourished by tiny blood vessels that are nearly invisible to the naked eye
Where does the eye sit?
within the anatomical space known as the orbit.
What are the 3 layers that form the “coat” of the eye?
- The outer fibrous opaque layer called the Sclera (hard and opaque)
responsible for protecting the eye,
and maintaining the shape of the eye. - The middle pigmented vascular layer called the Choroid,
responsible for providing circulation to the eye,
and shielding out unwanted scattered light. - The innermost Neurosensory Layer called the Retina,
responsible for converting light into neurological impulses,
to be transmitted to the brain via the Optic Nerve.
What is the role of the sclera/ it’s features?
“the tough, opaque tissue that serves as the eye’s protective outer coat. “
- High water content
What is the cornea?
The transparent, dome-shaped window covering the front of the eye
- Attached to sclera
What are the features/ what is the role of the Cornea?
role= Powerful refracting surface, providing 2/3 of the eye’s focusing power. Like the crystal on a watch, it gives us a clear window to look through (look inside the eye for disease)
- 5 layered
- Has no blood supply; endothelium absorbs O2 directly
- Low water content
What are the 5 layers of the cornea?
1 – Epithelium (most superficial)
2 – Bowman’s membrane
3 – Stroma – its regularity contributes towards transparency (made of collagen)
4- Descemet’s membrane
5- Endothelium – pumps fluid out of corneal and prevents corneal oedema- low water content: allows passage of glucose to nourish cornea
What is the uvea?
Vascular coat of eyeball and lies between the sclera and retina.
Describe the structure of the uvea & why is this clinically significant ?
Composed of three parts – iris, ciliary body and choroid.
Intimately connected and a disease of one part also affects the other portions though not necessarily to the same degree.
What is the choroid? Where is it located?
Choroid - lies between the retina and sclera.
It is composed of layers of blood vessels that nourish the back of the eye.
What is the Iris & what is it’s role?
“Round opening in the centre is the pupil.”
- Embedded with tiny muscles that dilate (widen) and constrict (narrow) the pupil size
- Controls light levels inside the eye similar to the aperture on a camera.
Describe the structure of the lens?
(lies behind the iris)
Outer acellular capsule
Regular inner elongated cell fibres – transparency
May loose transparency with age – cataract (lens becomes opaque)
What is the function of the lens?
responsible for one third of the refractive power of the eye.
Transparency
Regular structure
Refractive Power
1/3 of the eye focusing power - higher refractive index than aqueous fluid and vitreous
Accommodation
Elasticity
What is the Retina?
Very thin layer of tissue that lines the inner part of the eye.
What is the function of the Retina?
- Responsible for capturing the light rays that enter the eye. Much like the film’s role in photography.
- These light impulses are then sent to the brain for processing, via the optic nerve.
What is the role of the optic nerve?
- connects to the back of the eye near the macula
- transmits electrical impulses from the retina to the brain
- visible portion is called the optic disc