The gift of sight is one of our most important senses. Without good vision, many daily activities, such as reading and driving, would be difficult. With a good understanding of how the eye works and the importance of total eye care, healthy eyes and good vision can be maintained.

How Does the Eye Work?
Vision occurs when light reflected from an object travels through the center of the eye and is interpreted by the brain. The eye is made up of many different parts which work together to provide sight.

Light enters the eye through the cornea, the clear covering of the eye. The cornea is partially responsible for focusing the light images which enter the eye. The iris, or colored portion of the eye, is a muscle located behind the cornea and controls the amount of light entering the eye via the pupil. The lens inside the eye fine tunes the focus of the image by changing shape, depending on whether the object is close-up or far away.

After passing through the lens, light rays are focused onto the retina at the back of the eye. The retina consists of light sensitive nerve tissue called rods and cones. The rods function best in dim light, while the cones function best in daylight conditions, and also perceive color. The rods and cones transform the light images into electrical impulses which are sent to the brain by the optic nerve. When the brain interprets the image, vision occurs.