What is vision?

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Your vision is what allows you to see the world around you. You have vision thanks to several components within your eye and brain that work together. These parts include the:

• Lens.

• Retina.

• Optic nerve.

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Each part turns light and electrical signals into images that you can see.

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The main components of your vision include:

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• Cornea: This is the front layer of your eye. The cornea is dome-shaped and it works by bending the light that enters your eye.

• Pupil: The pupil is the black dot in the center of your eye that acts as a gateway for light. It expands in dim light and shrinks in bright light. It’s controlled by the iris.

• Iris: This part is typically referred to as your eye color. The iris is a muscle that controls the size of your pupil and the amount of light that enters your eye.

• Lens: The lens is behind the iris and pupil. It works with your cornea to focus the light that enters your eye, much like a camera. The lens brings the image in front of you into a sharp focus, which allows you to see the details clearly.

• Retina: Located at the back of the eye, the retina is a layer of tissue that transforms the light coming into your eye into electrical signals. These signals are sent to the brain where they are recognized as images.

• Optic nerve: This part of your vision works as the connecting element between the retina and the brain. Your optic nerve transmits the electrical signals formed in the retina to the brain. Once there, the brain creates images.

• Tears: Though they are most commonly thought of in relation to crying, tears are meant to keep your eyes wet and help you focus clearly. They also help protect your eyes from irritation and infection.