Sense Organs (Eye)

The eye is the sense organ of sight. The eye is shaped like a ball and is located in bony

sockets in the skull. It is held in place by six muscles which are joined to the outside of

the eyeball and attached to the skull. These muscles allow movement of the eyeball in

the eye socket.

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Parts of the Eye

The white of the eye is called the sclera. This is a tough outer layer that helps to protect

the eye and maintain its shape. It forms the transparent cornea at the front of the eye.

The Cornea is a transparent covering at the front of the eye. It helps to bend light rays

entering the eye.

The Iris is the coloured part of the eye. It contains muscles that control the size of the

pupil so that less or more light enters the eye. It helps to bend light rays entering the

eye.

The Pupil is the dark opening in the centre through which light enters the eye. In bright

light, the pupil becomes small so that less light enters the eye. In dim light it gets larger

so that more light enters the eye.

The Lens is a transparent bi-convex lens that bends light rays entering the eye. It

focuses images upside down on the retina at the back of the eye. It can also change its

shape so that the eye can focus on objects that are near or far away.

The Retina is the inner layer of the eye. It has cells that are sensitive to light.

Cells called rods allow us to see in dim light and objects appear black and white.

Other cells called cones allow us to see in bright light and objects can be seen in

different colours. The blind spot is an area on the retina where there are no light

sensitive cells. This is where the optic nerve leaves the eye.

The optic nerve receives nerve messages from the retina and takes these messages

to the brain.

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The Choroid is the middle layer of the eye. It contains blood vessels that supply the

eye with nutrients. The choroid forms the iris at the front of the eye.

How the Eye See Objects

A. Light is reflected from the book. The light passes through the pupil of the eye.

B. The lens inside the eye bends the light rays and focuses them on the retina
where an upside down image is formed.

C. Light sensitive cells in the retina send messages along the optic nerve to the
brain.

D. The brain changes the image around so that the book is seen right side up

Protecting the Eyes

The eyes are protected in the following ways:

 The bony sockets of the skull protect the eye

 The eyebrow prevents sweat from running into the eye.

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  The eyelid can cover the eye to prevent objects from entering it

 The eyelash traps dust particles that would enter the eye

 Tears wash the surface of the eye.

Caring for the Eye

 Do not rub the eye with dirty hands

 Rest the eyes when reading, watching television, sewing or using the computer

 Do not wear prescription glasses that do not belong to you

 If harmful chemicals get into the eye, remove it by washing with a lot of water

 Use a clean cloth to remove solid objects from the surface of the eye

 Use proper lighting when reading or doing close-up work

 Do not read in a moving vehicle

 Visit the optician or eye specialist at least once every two years

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 Eye Problems

Near sightedness/short sightedness

This occurs when the lens focuses the image before it reaches the retina. This usually

happens when the eyeball is too long or the lens is too curved. This condition can be

corrected by the use of eyeglasses with concave lenses that causes light rays to spread

out before they reach the eye.

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Far sightedness/Long sightedness

This occurs when light rays have not focused by the time they reach the retina. This

happens when the eyeballs are too short or the lens are not curved enough. This

condition can be corrected by wearing eyeglasses with convex lenses that bend the

light rays before they enter the eyes.

Other Eye Problems

Pink eye or conjunctivitis infection of the eye tissues and eyelid

Astigmatism irregular cornea or lens that causes blurred vision

Defective eye muscles causes crossed eyes

Colour blindness inability to see shades of red and green

Night blindness poor night vision

Cataracts white spots in the lens that blocks vision

Some of these problems can be corrected by surgery, medication, eye glasses, eye

exercise and nutrition.

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The Visually Challenged

Someone who is visually challenged may have limited vision or no vision at all. A

visually challenged person is more dependent on their other senses to help them to

cope with their loss of vision. Although they cannot see, there are many things they can

learn to do such as:

 Use a guide dog or a cane to go from one place to another without assistance

 Read, using Braille which is a system of raised dots that they can feel with their
fingers

 Use the computer, the cell phone or a telephone

 Make craft items

 Identify currency

 “Read” specially made watches by feeling its hands and face

 Do household chores and take care of themselves

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Optical Illusions

Optical illusions occur as a result of how the brain interprets what we see. An illusion

makes the brain perceive something different from what is really there, so what we see

is not the same as what actually exists in reality.

Below is one type of optical illusion:

Another type of optical illusion is a mirage. A mirage is formed when light rays are bent

or refracted in the air. Light from the sky can be refracted and appear as pools of water

on the ground when the air near the surface of the ground is hot. This especially affects

people who are in the desert; many times they think they see things that are not really

there.

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Optical Instruments

Optical instruments are instruments that assist the eye. Some of these are:

Periscope: this can be used to see around corners and over walls.

Telescope: makes distant objects appear near and bigger.

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Binoculars: made up of two telescopes mounted side by side that makes far objects
appear near.

Microscope: this is used to make very tiny objects that cannot be seen with the naked
eye look larger.

Hand lens: makes objects appear larger

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Camera: this is used to record images on film. Digital cameras record images

electronically and do not use films.

All optical instruments use lenses, while some use both lenses and mirrors to reflect or
refract light.

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