How our eyes work - Info Pack - Year 6

The human eye is an intricate organ, resembling a sphere, that allows us to perceive the world in vivid detail. At the front of the eye, there is a small aperture called the pupil, which is the gateway for light to enter. Behind this opening is the lens, a crucial component that focuses incoming light onto the retina, a layer at the rear of the eye. The retina is equipped with an array of specialised cells, which are capable of detecting light and converting it into electrical signals. These signals are then relayed to the brain via the optic nerve, culminating in the visual experience we are familiar with.

To maintain eye health and function, regular eye exams are essential. During these exams, an optometrist uses a magnifying lens and a light source to inspect the eye more closely. This allows the optometrist to examine the retina's surface, including its blood vessels and the over a million light-sensitive cells it contains. Understanding the roles of the eye's various parts is key to appreciating how we see. The iris adjusts the size of the pupil to control the amount of light entering the eye, while the retina and optic nerve work together to process and transmit visual information to the brain. The lens adjusts its shape to focus light correctly, and the cornea, the eye's clear, protective outer layer, helps to refract light towards the lens and retina.