Having the ability to see arises out of the complicated interplay of our eyes, the optic nerve and our brains. Not only do our eyes have to be able to simultaneously focus on an object, but they also have to then transmit what they see to the optic nerves, which then carry that message to our brains. At this point, our brains have to identify what we see. For most people, this process happens in less than a second.

However, any disruption in this path can impair your vision. Understanding the various parts and functions of each organ that contributes to vision is important to keeping your eyesight in good condition.

In this section, we explain how vision works, including information and tips on keeping your eyes healthy. Our articles inform you about the common malfunctions that impair vision while providing advice on how to prevent these impairments.

Eye Anatomy

Our eyes are made up of three layers of tissue and each has its own unique functions. While the outer layer (known as the fibrous tunic) protects the eye and helps it keep its shape, the middle layer (known as the vascular tunic) cleanses the eye and helps block out damaging reflections.

Once light has passed through these first two layers, the third, innermost layer (known as the nervous tunic) perceives color and transmits messages to the optic nerve.

While this outline seems fairly simple, each of these layers can only work by the simultaneous function of various parts within them. For example, the nervous tunic can only transmit the right message to the optic nerve if the rods and cones are accurately performing their functions. Read on to learn more about the anatomy of the eye.

Optics & Vision

The human eye is one of the most complexly designed eyes in the animal kingdom. While some animals have eyes with fixed lenses that work similarly to a camera lens (i.e. fish), others lack a sense of depth perception due to the fact that their eyes are located on opposite sides of their heads (i.e. lizards).

The human optical system involves a far more complicated process that communicates a great deal of information to us. Along with perceiving shape and size, our eyes also tell us:

• how far away an object is
• how fast an object is moving
• what color an object is.

However, the degree to which we can see is inherently dependent on the amount of light in a given situation. As a result, the physics of optics is crucial to having a thorough understanding of the nature of our visual perception. Keep reading to learn more about how optics and vision work.

Keeping Eyes Healthy

When it comes to preserving your vision, keeping your eyes healthy requires regular maintenance, whether or not you have 20/20 vision. Along with wearing sunglasses that block out harmful UV rays, you should also get an eye exam once a year.

Another way to make sure that your eyes stay in top condition is to use good quality eye drops, contact lenses and glasses. While this tip does refer to selecting brands based on your optometrist’s recommendations, it also means using products that aren’t expired, especially for prescription items.

Similarly, avoid putting unnecessary stress on your eyes. Along with taking breaks from staring at a computer screen, make sure that you have enough light when intensely focusing your eyes, like when you are reading. Keep reading for more tips on keeping your eyes healthy.