Eye&Vision – Eye anatomy and functioning

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  • The human eye is a masterpiece of engineering.
  • Light enters through the clear front surface of the eye (the cornea), passes through the opening of the pupil, through the lens and finally is perceived by the retina in the back of the eye. The retina is a multilayered structure that lines the inside of the globe. It is made up of specialized cells that convert the light to electrical impulses that travel to the brain and produce sight.
  • In the center of the retina, there is a tiny, extremely specialized area called the macula.  It is approximately 3 millimeters in diameter. The macula has the most densely packed photoreceptors, cells that collect light. They consist of rods and cones, which also perceive colors. The macula is supplied with oxygen-rich blood that nourishes the cells.