How the Eye Works

How does the eye work?

Light rays enter the eye through the clear coarnea, pupil, and lens. These light rays are focused directly onto the retina, which converts the light rays into impulses that are sent through the optic nerve to your brain.

What are refractive error and how do they effect vision?

There are four types of refractive errors:

• Myopia (nearsightdness): when the eye has too much optical power and light is focused in front of the retina, making distant objects blurry.
• Hyperopia (farsightedness): when the  eye has too little optical power and light is focused behind the retina, making close objects blurry.
• Astigmatism: when the cornea is curved unevenly, focusing light on two or more locations so the distance vision and near vision are both blurry.
• Presbyopia: an age-related condition in which the lens loses its flexibility and near vision becomes blurry.

How can refractive error be corrected?

Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and various refractive surgeries can currect refractuve error.

What are some common eye conditions that effect vision?

Common eye conditions that can effect vision and quality of life include age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts.

What can I do to preserve my vision and the vision of mu family members?

Regular visits to an ophthalmologist can catch eye disease early and prevent vision loss.

How often should you see an ophthalmologist?

Young children should visit an ophthalmologist or other medical professional at these intervals: newborn to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, 6 months to 1 year, 3 to 3½ years, and 5 years of age. Adults with no signs of or risk factors for eye disease should see an ophthalmologist for an eye disease screening at age 40. People at any age with symptoms of or at risk for eye disease should see an ophthalmologist to determine how frequenetly their eyes should be examined.