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The protective outer layer of the eye, sometimes referred to as the ³white of the eye´ is
called the sclera and it maintains the shape of the eye. The front portion of the sclera, called
the cornea, is transparent and allows light to enter the eye. The cornea is a powerful refracting
surface, providing much of the eye's focusing power (Cassin and Solomon, 1997). Attached to
the sclera are six extraocular muscles responsible for movement of the eyes (Bianco, 2002).
The choroid is the second layer of the eye and lies between the sclera and the retina. It
contains the blood vessels that provide nourishment to the outer layers of the retina (Cassin and
Solomon, 1997). The iris is the part of the eye that gives it color. It consists of muscular tissue
that responds to surrounding light, making the pupil, or circular opening in the center of the iris,
larger or smaller depending on the brightness of the light (Pachler and Rizun, n.d.).

Light entering the pupil falls onto the lens of the eye where it is altered before passing
through to the retina. The lens is a transparent, biconvex structure, encased in a thin
transparent covering. The function of the lens is to refract and focus incoming light onto the
retina for processing (Moorfields Eye Hospital, 2002).

The retina is the innermost layer in the eye. It converts images into electrical impulses
that are sent along the optic nerve to the brain where the images are interpreted. The retina can
be compared to the film of a camera. It is composed of light sensitive cells known as rods and
cones interconnected by a complex mesh of neurons that provide early stage visual processing.
Rod cells are primarily in the outer retina, do not discriminate colors, have low spatial resolution,
support vision in low light (³night vision´), are sensitive to object movement and provide
peripheral vision. Cone cells are densely packed within the central visual field, function best in
bright light, process acute images and discriminate colors (Montgomery, 2002).

The macula is located in the back of the eye, in the center of the retina. Within the
macula is an area called the fovea centralis. This area contains the highest concentration of
cones, produces the sharpest vision, and is used to see details clearly (Moorfields Eye Hospital,
2002).

The inside of the eyeball is divided by the lens into two fluid-filled sections. The larger
section at the back of the eye is filled with a colorless gelatinous mass called the vitreous
humor. The smaller section in the front contains a clear, water-like material called aqueous
humor (Discovery Fund for Eye Research, 1999). A circular canal, called the Canal of Schlemm
provides a drainage system for the aqueous humor from the eye into the bloodstream.
Blockages in the Canal of Schlemm are believed to be contributing factors in the development
of glaucoma (Bianco, 2002).
 The conjunctiva is a mucous membrane that begins at the edge of the cornea and lines
the inside surface of the eyelids and sclera, which serves to lubricate the eye. Inflammation of
this membrane results in conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye (Bianco, 2002; Cassin and
Solomon, 1997).
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