The eye has many functions that it performs simultaneously, from regulating light, to focusing on objects both near and far, to sending images to the brain; it is an amazing physical structure.

A thin membrane called the conjunctiva covers the sclera, the white outer layer of the eye. The transparent dome on the surface of the eye is called the cornea. It allows light to enter the eye. The cornea also serves two other functions: protecting the front of the eye, and aiding in focusing light on the retina. Light passes through the cornea to the pupil, the black area in the middle of the iris. The iris is the circular, colored area of the eye. The lens of the eye is located behind the iris. The lens is responsible for focusing light onto the retina. The nerve endings in the retina make visual images sharp and then convert the images into electrical impulses. These impulses are then carried to the brain by the optic nerve. Vision is sensed and interpreted in the rear of the brain.

View sub-topics at right to learn more about some specific eye disorders and some of their common causes.



See Also

  1. Blindness
  2. Cataracts: Overview
  3. Fusarium keratitis
  4. Glaucoma: Overview
  5. Macular Degeneration
  6. Optic Neuritis: Overview
  7. Papilledema: Overview
  8. 1,2,3-Trichloropropane
  9. 1,3-Butadiene
  10. 2-Butanone
  11. 2-Butoxyethanol
  12. 4,4'-Methylenedianiline
  13. Acetone
  14. Ammonia
  15. Aniline
  16. Bellvue, Colorado
  17. Bis(2-chloroethyl) Ether
  18. Bis(chloromethyl) Ether
  19. Boron
  20. Breast Implants
  21. Bungee Cords
  22. CCP Paper: Overview
  23. Celestone Soluspan / Betamethasone Acetate & Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate
  24. Chlordane
  25. Chlorfenvinphos
  26. Chlorinated Dibenzofurans (CDFs)
  27. Chlorine
  28. Chlorine Dioxide
  29. Chloroethane
  30. Dibromochloropropane Exposure: Overview
  31. Estrogen
  32. Extended Wear Contact Lenses: Overview
  33. Formaldehyde Exposure: Overview
  34. Frito-Lay Contamination: Overview
  35. Fruit Avenue Plume Site - Albuquerque, New Mexico
  36. Furan
  37. Glycol Ethers: Exposure
  38. Hall Street Plant - Beaverton, Oregon
  39. Hydrogen Chloride
  40. Hydrogen Sulfide
  41. Isophorone
  42. Jet fuels JP-4 and JP-7
  43. Lariam / Mefloquine Hydrochloride
  44. Lasik & Other Laser Eye Surgery
  45. Latex
  46. Lewisite (Blister Agent)
  47. Lipari Landfill: Overview
  48. Lupron / Leuprolide
  49. Methyl Isocyanate
  50. Methylprednisolone Acetate
  51. Migrant Workers: Overview
  52. Minocin / Minocycline Hydrochloride
  53. Mirex and Chlordecone
  54. Mustard Gas
  55. Nailgun Accidents
  56. N-hexane
  57. Nissan Altima Airbags: Overview
  58. Nitrogen Mustards (HN-1, HN-2, HN-3) (Blister Agent)
  59. Organic Solvents: Exposure
  60. Otto Fuel II
  61. Pace, Florida: Overview
  62. Pacerone / Cordarone / Amiodarone Hydrochloride
  63. Perchloroethylene
  64. Phosgene
  65. Phosgene Oxime
  66. Pyridine
  67. Selenium Hexafluoride
  68. Sodium and Calcium Hypochlorite
  69. Sodium Hydroxide
  70. St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum): Overview
  71. Star Anise Teas
  72. Stoddard Solvent
  73. Styrene
  74. Sulfur Mustards H/HD and HT (Blister Agent)
  75. Sulfur Trioxide
  76. Synthetic Vitreous Fibers
  77. Tegretol / Carbamazepine
  78. Tetryl
  79. Tin
  80. Titanium Tetrachloride
  81. Toluene
  82. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH)
  83. Trichloroethylene
  84. Trilafon / Perphenazine
  85. Vinyl Acetate
  86. Water Balloon Slingshots
  87. Workplace Violence
  88. Xylene
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