Knowing about Eyes

EYES OVERVIEW The labeled anatomy of an eye. The labeled anatomy of an eye. What are the eyes? Your eyes are organs that allow you to see. They take in light from the world around you and send visual information to your brain. Your eyes can see about 200 degrees in all directions, including in front of you and to the sides (peripheral vision). Parts of your eyes work together to allow you to see images, movement and depth. Your eyes can see millions of colors in varying shades. Many conditions can affect how your eyes work, including common vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism and eye injuries. Several diseases and disorders that are not necessarily eye-related can cause problems in the eyes, including autoimmune disorders, diabetes and high blood pressure. To keep your eyes healthy, you should see your provider for regular eye exams. Eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking, which can damage your eyes. Always wear protective eyewear to prevent injuries, especially during contact sports or if you have a job working with tools that could potentially lead to eye injuries (welding, metalwork, woodworking, etc). Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy FUNCTION What are the parts of the eye? The parts of the eye include: Iris, the colored area of your eye. Depending on your eye color, the iris might be any shade of blue, green, hazel or brown. Cornea, a clear layer that extends over the iris. Water and collagen make up the cornea. Your tears protect your cornea and keep it lubricated. Pupil, the black circle which is an opening or window in the middle of your iris. It expands and contracts to control how much light gets into your eye. The sclera, the white parts of your eye that surround the iris. Conjunctiva, a clear, thin tissue that covers the sclera and lines the inside of your eyelids. Lens,