...
...
Next Story

How the Eye Works

Published on: Aug 1, 2003, 20:09:00 IST
HT Image
HT Image
Advertisement

The function of eye is compared to a camera, but vision is not so simple as we have made it sound.

The basic function of the eye is often compared to a simple camera.

Light travels in straight lines but bends when it hits another transparent medium.

The cornea is the curved front surface of the eye. When a ray of light hits this curved surface, it bends. It is here that most of the refraction occurs. The refractive index is approximately 1.376, which is comparable to that of glass or plastic.

The iris is the coloured part of the eye. It adjusts automatically to control the amount of light entering the eye.

The pupil is the hole in the iris through which the light enters. It enlarges when there is less light, so as to allow the maximum possible light to enter. It becomes smaller when you are in the presence of bright light.

The lens is the transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina. It is flexible and changes its shape and focal length. When we look at faraway things, the lens is pulled flat by little muscles. When we look at close-up things, the muscles pull in and the lens gets fat and round. This way, the eye is able to look at things near as well as far.

The macula is a small area in the retina that contains special light-sensitive cells. The macula allows us to see fine details clearly.

The optic nerve is the nerve that connects the eye to the brain. The optic nerve carries the impulses formed by the retina to the brain, which interprets them as images.

By the time this happens, you have not just seen, you have perceived. Vision is not so simple as we have made it sound. Two people look at the same scene and see different things. We recognise things with different associations. In these ways seeing is so closely connected to the understanding of what is seen – perception.

(Source: Webhealthcentre.com)

 
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON