COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Sci 117
Waves and Optics
The Human Eye

Analy D. Laureano Kia [Link]

Joechelle Faithreecs C. Padasas Ivy E. Padilla

Lei-Ann Shayne V. Solis John Haron B. Sumili

Reporters:

Ma. Mae Gregorio

Course Facilitator MARY GRACE B. GALGATE

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to;
1. Define human eyes;
2. identify the different functions of the human eye;
3. describe the different parts of the human eye and their functions
4. explain how eyes work;
5. enumerate the different eye defects and how to correct them; and
6. cite at least five ways on how to take care of the human eyes.

Introduction
Have you ever wondered how you're able to see the colors of a rainbow, read a book,
or recognize a familiar face in a crowd? Every moment you open your eyes, a complex and
fascinating process is at work-helping you make sense of the world around you.
In this lesson, we will uncover the wonders of this system, explore how it works, and
understand why it's one of the most important parts of the human body.

THE HUMAN EYE

The human eye is a complex and sophisticated organ responsible for vision, allowing
us to perceive and interpret the world around us. It is a spherical structure located in the eye
socket of the skull, composed of various parts including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina,
and optic nerve. Basically, the eye works by capturing light and transforming it into electrical
signals that are transmitted to the brain, where they are interpreted and processed into visual
images.
The eye is an incredibly sophisticated organ that performs several critical functions to
allow us to see and interact with the world around us.

Functions of the Human Eye

The eye is a complex organ that performs several critical functions that allow us to see
the world around us. Here are the main functions of the eye:

1. Refraction of light - The cornea and lens work together to bend and focus incoming light
onto the retina at the back of the eye. This is the first step in the process of vision.
2. Sensing light - The retina contains photoreceptor cells called rods and cones that respond
to different levels of light and color. These cells convert the incoming light into electrical
signals that are sent to the brain via the optic nerve.
3. Image formation - The brain uses the electrical signals from the retina to create the visual
images that we see. These images are formed by the brain’s interpretation of the patterns of
electrical signals sent from the retina.
4. Color perception - The cones in the retina are responsible for color vision, allowing us to
perceive and differentiate between different colors.
5. Depth perception - The eyes work together to provide depth perception, allowing us to
judge the distance and position of objects in the world around us.
6. Accommodation - The ciliary body and lens work together to adjust the focus of the eye,
allowing us to see objects at different distances.
7. Regulation of light - The iris adjusts the size of the pupil to regulate the amount of light
entering the eye, helping us to see clearly in different lighting conditions.

Structure of Human Eye

A human eye is roughly 2.3 cm in diameter and is almost a spherical ball filled with some
fluid. It consists of the following parts:
1. Sclera - It is the outer covering, a
protective tough white layer called
the sclera (white part of the eye).

2. Cornea -The front transparent part of

the sclera is called the cornea. Light
enters the eye through the cornea.

3. Iris -A dark muscular tissue and ring-

like structure behind the cornea is
known as the iris. The colour of the
iris actually indicates the colour of
the
eye. The iris also helps regulate or
adjust exposure by adjusting the iris.
4. Pupil - A small opening in the iris is controls the amount of light that
known as a pupil. Its size is enters the eye.
controlled with the help of iris. It
.

5. Lens - Behind the pupil, there is a

transparent structure called a lens. By
the action of ciliary muscles, it changes
its shape to focus light on the retina. It
becomes thinner to focus on distant
objects and becomes thicker to focus on
the nearby objects.

6. Retina - It is a light-sensitive layer that

consists of numerous nerve cells. It
converts images formed by the lens into
electrical impulses. These electrical
impulses are then transmitted to the brain
through optic nerves.

7. Optic nerves - Optic nerves are of two

types. These include cones and rods.
 Cones -Cones are the nerve cells
that are more sensitive to bright
light. They help in detailed central
and colour vision.
 Rods - Rods are the optic nerve
cells that are more sensitive to dim
lights. They help in peripheral vision.
How do our Eyes Work?
Everything your eyes do starts with light from the outside world. Your eye
structure lets light enter and pass through a series of clear components and sections,
including the cornea, aqueous humor, lens and vitreous humor. Those structures bend
and focus light, adjusting how far the light beams travel before they come into focus.
The focus needs to be precise. If it isn’t, what you’re looking at appears blurry.
Your eye has muscles that can make subtle changes to the shape of your eye, moving
the focus point so it lands correctly on the retina.
When light lands on the cells of your retinas, those cells send signals to your
brain. The signals are like coded messages describing everything they can about the
light. That includes the color, how intense it is and any other relevant details. Your
brain decodes and processes the signals and uses them to “build” the image you see.

Common Eye Defects

1. Myopia (Nearsightedness) - Myopia is a common
refractive error where distant objects appear blurry
while close objects remain clear.
 Causes: Genetics, excessive near work,
environmental factors.
 Symptoms: Difficulty seeing distant
objects, squinting, eye strain.
 Corrections: Eyeglasses, contact lenses,
refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK).

2. Hyperopia (Farsightedness) - Hyperopia

occurs when distant objects are clearer than
close ones.
 Causes: Genetics, aging, certain
medical conditions.
 Symptoms: Blurry vision up
close, eye strain, headaches.
 Corrections: Eyeglasses, contact
lenses, refractive surgery.
3. Astigmatism - Astigmatism results from an
irregularly shaped cornea or lens, causing
blurred or distorted vision at all distances.
 Causes: Irregular corneal shape,
genetics, eye trauma.
 Symptoms: Blurred or distorted
vision, eyestrain, headaches.
 Corrections: Eyeglasses, toric
contact lenses, refractive surgery.

4. Presbyopia - Presbyopia is an age-related

condition where the eye’s lens loses
flexibility, making it difficult to focus on
close objects.
 Causes: Aging, changes in the
lens structure.
 Symptoms: Difficulty reading
small print, eye strain,
headaches.
 Corrections: Reading glasses,
progressive lenses, multifocal
contact lenses.

5. Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) - Amblyopia is a

condition where one eye has weaker vision
than the other, often due to abnormal visual
development in childhood.
 Causes: Strabismus (crossed
eyes), significant refractive
errors, childhood cataracts.
 Symptoms: Reduced vision in
one eye, poor depth perception.
 Corrections: Patching therapy, corrective lenses, vision therapy.

6. Cataract - A clouding of the eye’s lens

leading to decreased vision.
 Cause: Aging, trauma, UV
exposure, or diabetes.
 Symptoms: Blurry vision,
faded colors, glare
sensitivity.
  Correction: Surgical removal and replacement with an artificial lens.

7. Glaucoma - A group of diseases that

damage the optic nerve, often linked to high
eye pressure.
 Cause: Poor drainage of
fluid in the eye.
 Symptoms: Loss of
peripheral vision, eye pain,
halos around lights.
 Correction: Eye drops,
medications, laser therapy, or
surgery.

8. Macular Degeneration - A disease that

affects central vision due to damage to the
retina’s central part (macula).
 Cause: Aging, genetic factors,
smoking.
 Symptoms: Blurry or blind spots
in the center of vision.
 Correction: No cure; managed
with drugs, laser therapy, and
vision aids.

9. Color Blindness - A condition where the

person has difficulty distinguishing certain
colors.
 Cause: Inherited defect in cone cells
of the retina.
 Symptoms: Trouble identifying
reds, greens, or blues.
 Correction: No cure; special lenses
and digital tools can assist.

10. Strabismus (Crossed Eyes) - A condition

where the eyes do not align properly and may
point in different directions.
  Cause: Muscle imbalance or nerve damage.
 Symptoms: Misaligned eyes, double vision.
 Correction: Glasses, vision therapy, or eye muscle surgery.

Ways on How To Take Care of Our Eyes

1. Get regular eye exams - Everyone, even people

who don’t wear corrective lenses, should get an
eye exam at least every one to two years (or
more often if you have conditions that increase
your risk of eye issues).

2. Wear eye protection - Injuries to your eyes, face

or head can cause long-term eye issues and
damage. Wearing eye protection specifically
meant for that purpose (not just treating
eyeglasses like they can do the same job) can
prevent eye injuries or make them less severe.

3. Avoid nicotine use - Smoking, vaping and

smokeless tobacco usage can all affect your
circulatory system. That’s especially true for the
blood vessels that supply your eyes.

4. Don’t ignore infections - If you have what feels

like an eye infection for more than a few days,
see a healthcare provider. Eye infections that go
untreated for too long can become bigger issues
and cause lasting damage or other complications.

5. Don’t ignore eye symptoms - Gradual vision

changes are a sign that you need to see an eye
care specialist for an eye exam. And sudden,
unexpected vision changes — especially vision
loss — are medical emergencies that need
immediate care.
 6. Make proper nutrition a priority - Your eyes need specific vitamins and minerals
to do their best.

7. Reach and maintain a weight that’s healthy for

you - Your overall health can have a big impact
on eye health. Your eye specialist or primary care
provider can guide you on the best ways to
manage your overall health for the benefit of your
eyes.

8. Limit Screen Time - Prolonged use of digital

devices can cause eye strain. Follow the 20-20-20
rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet
away for 20 seconds.

9. Maintain Proper Lighting - Reading or working

in poor lighting can strain your eyes. Use bright,
focused light when reading or doing close work.

10. Blink Regularly - Especially when using screens,

blinking often helps keep your eyes lubricated and
prevents dryness.

References
“[Link]/physics/defects-of-vision-and-their-correction/”
[Link]
“Eye Defects And Their Correction – Skipper EyeQ” [Link]
and-their-correction/
“Eye Diseases: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options”
[Link]
“Eyes: How They Work, Anatomy & Common Conditions”
[Link]
“Human eye: definition, anatomy and functions • #VisionBlog”
[Link]
#:~:text=The%20human%20eye%20is%20a,%2C%20retina%2C%20and%20optic
%20nerve.