| The Focus Is The Eye | | | | |
| We all know what the eye is, right? But, what is it | | | | OK, So, What Is On The Other Side Of The Eye? |
| exactly? The eye is a spherical object; it is about | | | | Well, the retina, a very delicate membrane |
| one inch in diameter. The eye is actually | | | | (almost like tissue) lines the eyeball. It is directly |
| considered an organ; well it is a dual organ since | | | | connected with the brain, through the optic nerve. |
| most of us do have two eyes. The eye is | | | | The retina uses more oxygen and nutrients per |
| contained in a bony type pocket, called an orbit, | | | | gram of tissue than almost any other parts of |
| which does enclose it completely, except for the | | | | our body. |
| front part. There are openings at the rear of this | | | | At the center of the retinal is a tiny little area, the |
| "pocket of bone" or, orbit, for nerves and blood | | | | macula, (that is actually Latin for "spot"). It really is |
| vessels. | | | | only a spot, but, it is extremely critical to sight. |
| What Exactly Is The Eye Made Of? | | | | The macula is in the center of the retina. The |
| The very outside layer of the eye, the | | | | macula is responsible for focus. It enables us to |
| membrane, is called the conjunctiva. This covers | | | | analyze fine details. |
| the "sclera, or the white of the eye. It is very | | | | Perhaps the hardest "working" part of our eye is |
| delicate, this membrane. | | | | the retinal. It has lots of layers of vessels, |
| The sclera does almost wrap around the whole | | | | neurons and photoreceptors, these are all |
| eye. It is however interrupted bye the cornea | | | | continuously active. |
| (covers the front of the eye) and that very | | | | The eye is actually one of the most complex |
| important nerve, the optic nerve at the back. The | | | | organs of our bodies. Its capabilities far outweigh |
| cornea is usually what gets touched when we get | | | | even computers. |
| poked in the eye. | | | | Over 13 million Americans actually suffer from |
| Now, behind the cornea lies the iris (the pigmented | | | | age related macular degeneration. There is realistic |
| part that gives the eye its color). And, in the | | | | hope based on the latest research, experience, |
| center is the pupil. The lens, it is only pea sized, | | | | and knowledge. |
| lies behind the iris. | | | | No one needs to become experts at eye |
| Well, we could get more complicated, but, I think | | | | anatomy or function. But, the more we know, the |
| this will do for us right now. | | | | more we can be pro-active in our own eye care. |