Anatomy and Diseases of the Eye

Study Notes

The eye lies within a bony orbit, which holds the eye quite tightly.
The orbit is defined as a four-sided pyramid and is located in the middle of the face.
The eye has a tough outer coat for protection, and the outer coat is translucent anteriorly.
The cornea is the transparent front section of the eye, and the sclera is the opaque back section.
The lacrimal gland produces tears to wash away debris and to deposit oxygen.
Crying causes the eyes and nose to run and we don't know why we cry.
The lacrimal gland produces tears that contain antibodies and lysozymes to fight pathogens.
The cornea, sclera, and lacrimal gland all contribute to the eye's shape and protection.
The iris forms the pupil at the center of the eye and the choroid, retina, and fovea contain rods and cones that contain photo receptive cells.
The vitreous humour is the largest part of the eye and it contains hyaluronic acid and collagen to provide shape and hydration.
The gel-like substance that fills the eye is called the vitreous humour.
The eye can lose its vision due to a number of diseases, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, trachoma, and conjunctivitis.
In humans, the eye is the only organ that is able to do so.
The non-infectious conditions that can lead to loss of vision in the eye include age-related macular degeneration, blepharitis, periorbital cellulitis, and uveitis.
Bacterial and fungal infections of the eye can cause blindness.
The most common cause of blindness is bacterial keratitis.
Other causes of blindness include bacterial and viral infections of the eye, and acanthamoeba keratitis.
All of these infections can be caused by different organisms, and they are more common in tropical countries.
Some common symptoms of eye infections are pain, loss of vision, and a gritty sensation in the eyes.
Treatment for eye infections typically involves a short course of antibiotics.
Many of these infections are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Eye infections are common and can often cause serious vision loss.