Your eyes are an interesting set of organs. With many working pieces acting in synchronicity, your eyes give you the ability to witness many wonderful sights in your environment, no matter how old you are.

Yet how do your eyes not only pick up these images but also process them?

IN THIS ARTICLE...

1. The cornea
2. The lens
3. The retina
4. The optic nerve

The cornea

Light is an important element of sight, and without it, you will not be able to see or process images clearly. When light enters the eye, it travels through the clear outer portion in the front known as the cornea which starts to focus the light. Your ability to capture light effectively can be affected by astigmatism (asymmetric curvature of the cornea) or a corneal abrasion.

Behind the cornea is the pupil, which can dilate or constrict to adjust the amount of light that continues through the eye.

The lens

Beyond the pupil is the lens, which further focuses light so that it can further travel through the eye. This part of the eye is susceptible to cloudiness with a condition known as cataracts, disrupting the focus of light and creating blurry vision.

The retina

Consider your retina to be the bridge between light and sight. Once the light has moved through the cornea and lens, it is focused on the retina, which is responsible for converting the light energy into an electrical signal via photoreceptor cells, known as rods and cones that help with night vision, color vision and seeing fine details. Conditions affecting the retina’s ability to fully complete this task include macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Matthew Wilde, a CEENTA retina specialist who practices out of our SouthPark, Blakeney, and Pineville offices, makes an interesting comparison with how the retina works. “I like to use the analogy of the eye being a camera. As a retina specialist, I focus on treating conditions that affect the ‘film’ of the camera, and work with my colleagues at CEENTA to make sure the whole system is working right to provide patients with the best vision possible.”

The optic nerve

The last teammate for your vision is the optic nerve, which connects the back of your eye to the brain. After the retina converts the initial light into an electrical signal, the optic nerve sends the signal to the brain for final processing. It is there that your image comes into full focus with every detail. Glaucoma, a condition that causes increased pressure within the eye, has the potential to damage the optic nerve.

Like a well-oiled machine, if one part of your eye is impacted, it can disrupt the entire process. At CEENTA, our offices feature fellowship-trained experts in every part of the eye to ensure that your vision begins and ends with crystal clear clarity.

To schedule your next eye appointment with Dr. Wilde in SouthPark, Blakeney, or Pineville, call 704-295-3000 or use myCEENTAchart if you are an existing patient.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor.