Link to MamasHealth.com
MamasHealth.com Home
Eye Health

Amblyopia
Aniridia
Astigmatism
Bechet's Disease
Bietti's Crystalline Dystrophy
Black Eye
Blepharitis
Blepharospasm
Blood in Eye
Cataracts
Chemical Eye Burn
CMV Retinitis
Color Blindness
Contact Lenses
Contact Lenses Care
Contact Lenses Infection
Corneal Transplant
Crossed Eyes
Detached Retina
Diabetic Retinopathy
Dry Eye Syndrome
Eye
Eye focus and tear production
Eye Care
Eye Care Professionals
Eye Exam
Eye Herpes
Farsightedness
Floaters
Fuchs' Dystrophy
Glaucoma
Keratoconus
LASIK Checklist
LASIK Doctors
LASIK Risks
LASIK Surgery
Lattice Dystrophy
Low Vision
Macular Degeneration
Macular Hole
Macular Pucker
Map-Dot-Fingerprint
Nearsightedness
Pink Eye
Presbyopia
Protect eyesight
Pterygia
Sty
Vitreous Detachment

Links


Email Mama

Eyelid lift

How to use eye cosmetics safely

Dogs for the Blind
Sunglasses




What is an Eye?

An eye is a round-shaped organ that works with the brain to provide us with vision. The shape of the eye is maintained by the pressure of the aqueous humor. The aqueous humor is the fluid that fills the front chamber of the eye.

Function of the Eye

The main function of the eye is to work with the brain to provide us with vision. The eye and brain translate light waves into a sensation we call vision.

Eye Parts

The eye has many parts. Some of the main parts are listed and described below.

  • lens
    • The transparent crystalline lens of the eye is located immediately behind the iris.
  • cornea
    • The cornea is a transparent dome which serves as the outer window of the eye. The cornea is the most powerful structure focusing light entering the eye.
  • retina
    • The retina is the innermost layer of the eye. It is composed of nerve tissue which senses the light entering the eye.
    • The retina sends impulses through the optic nerve back to the brain, which translates the impulses into images that we see.
    • There are 4 types of light-sensitive receptors found in the retina
      1. rods
      2. cones that absorb long-wavelength light (red)
      3. cones that absorb middle-wavelength light (green)
      4. cones that absorb short-wavelength light (blue)
  • pupil
    • The pupil is the hole in the center of the eye where light passes through.
  • iris
    • The iris is the colored part of the eye. It is a thin diaphragm composed mostly of connective tissue and smooth muscle fibers. The iris lies between the cornea and the crystalline lens.
  • optic nerve
    • The optic nerve is a continuation of the axons of the ganglion cells in the retina. It acts acts like a cable connecting the eye with the brain.
    • The optic nerve is also called the cranial nerve II.
  • sclera
    • The sclera is the white, opaque portion of the eye. It provides protection and serves as an attachment for the extraocular muscles which move the eye.

Eye Doctor

An eye doctor is called an opthamologist Periodic eye examinations by an opthamologist is the best defense against eye disease. You can also receive eye care from an optometrist or optician.

An optometrist is a college graduate who has received 4 years of training and is licensed to diagnose and treat vision problems and prescribe glasses and contact lenses.

An optician is a person trained to prepare and fit glasses after an opthamologist or optometrist has examined your eyes and prescribed vision correction.

Diseases/Conditions of the Eye

Some common conditions that afflict the eye are listed below.

Warning Signs of Eye Problems

  • difficulty adjusting to darkness
  • double vision
  • red eyes
  • crusty or swollen eyes
  • recurring pain in or around the eyes
  • excessive tearing or watering
  • very dry, itchy or burning eyes
  • loss of peripheral vision
  • dark spots in the center of your viewing area
  • change in color of the colored part of your eye
  • vision that suddenly becomes blurred or hazy

Your product featured on MamasHealth.com

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Email Newsletter
For Email Marketing you can trust

 

Hot Topics:

Domestic Violence: A pre-existing condition?

Serena: The wanna be vegetarian

Personal Story: How I recovered from my Eating Disorder

Mama wants to help: Food Bank programs and shelter assistance

Lucy Goes Green: Talk dirty to me

How to avoid Swine Flu

What no one will tell you about tummy tuck surgery

Mama's favorite item of the week: Trees for the Future

Foods for weight loss

Win a Gift Bag filled with Goodies from Stonyfield

Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition.

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.
Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170

©2000 - 2009 MamasHealth, Inc.™. All rights reserved

Link to MamasHealth.com