PHYSIOLOGY OF THE EYE

Purpose:
To be able to understand the physiology of visions

Materials:
3 beakers and tongue blades, mineral oil, water, test tubes

Procedure:

A. Pupillary Reflexes:

1. Accommodation Reflexes:

Have your partner look at a distant object (away from the light) while you closely observe his
pupils. Suddenly have him look at your finger held about 12 inches in front of his eyes. What
happened to the pupils?

2. Light Reflex

Let the subject close his eyes for two minutes while facing a bright light. Observe and note the
changes in the size of the pupil when the eyelids are opened.

3. Cilio-spinal Reflex:

Note the size of the pupil, then pinch the skin of the nape and continue observing the pupil. Note
the change in the size as the pinch is applied.

B. Refraction of Light Rays

1. Place 3 tongue blades in small beakers

Beaker # 1 is empty
Beaker # 2 contains water
Beaker # 3 contains mineral oil

2. Examine the beakers at eye level. Which medium produces the greatest refraction?
Why? What are the major refractory medium of the eye?

C. After-image:
1. Stare at a bright light for a minute and then look at the wall Results?

D. Monocular Vision
 1. Have your partner hold a test tube approximately 2 feet ( arm length) in front of you
2. Close one eve, and then quickly insert a pencil into the neck of the tube
3. Repeat with both eyes opened

Explain your results

Questions

1. Why is the optic disk also known as the blind spot

- blind spot, small portion of the visual field of each eye that corresponds to the
position of the optic disk (also known as the optic nerve head) within the retina. There
are no photoreceptors (i.e., rods or cones) in the optic disk, and, therefore, there is no
image detection in this area.

2. List in proper sequence: the structures through which light rays and nerve impulses pass
as you read this page.
1. Light enters the eye through the cornea. This is the clear, dome-shaped surface
that covers the front of the eye.
2. From the cornea, the light passes through the pupil. The iris, or the colored part
of your eye, controls the amount of light passing through.
3. From there, it then hits the lens. This is the clear structure inside the eye that
focuses light rays onto the retina.
4. Next, light passes through the vitreous humor. This is the clear, jelly-like
substance that fills the center of the eye. It helps to keep the eye round in shape.
5. Finally, the light reaches the retina. This is the light-sensitive nerve layer that
lines the back of the eye. Here the image is inverted.
6. The optic nerve is then responsible for carrying the signals to the visual cortex of
the brain. The visual cortex turns the signals into images (for example, our vision).

3. Describe the following conditions in simple terminology

a. Conjunctivitis- Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is the inflammation or infection of the
transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and eyeball.
b. Cataracts- are the clouding of the lens of your eye, which is normally clear. Most
cataracts develop slowly over time, causing symptoms such as blurry vision.
c. Glaucoma- is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the health
of which is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally
high pressure in your eye. The two main types are open-angle and angle-closure.

4. Define the following

a. Emmetropia- is a state of refraction where a point at an infinite distance from the eye is
conjugate to the retina. Ametropia is a state where refractive error is present, or when
distant points are no longer focused properly to the retina.
b. Myopia- (Nearsightedness) is a common vision condition in which you can see objects
near to you clearly, but objects farther away are blurry. It occurs when the shape of your
 eye causes light rays to bend (refract) incorrectly, focusing images in front of your retina
instead of on your retina.
c. Hyperopia- (Farsightedness) is a common vision condition in which you can see distant
objects clearly, but objects nearby may be blurry. The degree of your farsightedness
influences your focusing ability.
d. Astigmatism- is a common and generally treatable imperfection in the curvature of the
eye that causes blurred distance and near vision. Astigmatism occurs when either the
front surface of the eye (cornea) or the lens inside the eye has mismatched curves.
e. Nystagmus- is a condition where the eyes move rapidly and uncontrollably. They can
move; side to side (horizontal nystagmus), up and down (vertical nystagmus), and in a
circular motion (rotary nystagmus). The movement can vary between slow and fast and
usually happens in both eyes.