The human eye is a spherical organ that processes the images in front of us. The eye is simultaneously delicate and sturdy, composed of many different parts and points that work together to enable your vision. Remember to treat your eyes with care and respect; while science has been able to correct improper vision, it has not yet found the means to replicate or replace a damaged eye.
The Visible Eye
There are several parts of the eye that are visible when you look in the mirror. The sclera is the white part of your eye, which surrounds your entire eyeball and protects your inner eye. The cornea is a small, clear bulge that juts out from the sclera, protecting your iris and pupil. The iris is the colored part of your eye that controls the size of your pupil, and the pupil is the black part that allows light into your eye. If the light is bright, your iris will be large and your pupil small, but if the light is dim, your iris will be small and your pupil will dilate.
The Lens
The lens is the part of your eye that processes the image in front of you. It acts in the same manner as a camera lens--rather, the camera lens works the same way as the human eye's lens--by processing the image, flipping it over and projecting that upside-down image on the back of your eye.
The Retina and Optic Nerve
The retina and the optic nerve compose the back of your eye. The retina, or rear wall of your eye, is composed of photosensitive rods and cones that convert light into nerve impulses. When your retina receives an upside-down image from your eye to the lens, it sends that upside-down image along your optic nerve to your brain, where the image is then interpreted and re-inverted, allowing you to see the right-side-up version of what is in front of you.
Fluid Chambers
In addition to the main parts of your eye, there are also three different fluid chambers. The first is the anterior chamber, an area of fluid between your cornea and iris. The second is the posterior chamber, which is the fluid between your iris and your lens. The vitreous chamber contains the largest amount of fluid in your eye, filling your eye from the lens to the retina.
The Smaller Parts
Your eye also contains some smaller, less-talked about parts. The rectus muscles control the movement of your eye; the lateral rectus controls movement away from your nose, while the medial rectus controls movement toward your nose. The zonules attach your lens to the ciliary muscles; the ciliary muscles keep your lens in place. The choroid is the layer of blood vessels between your sclera and the retina. The fovea is the spot on your retina that provides the most acute vision, and the macula, also on your retina, is the spot that allows you to see the greatest detail.
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