While we use our eyes to see every day, we most likely have no idea how our vision truly works. The eye has many parts that work together to produce what we see on a daily basis. To ensure your eyes work their best, you should visit an eye doctor regularly for eye exams and vision correction if needed. Understanding the basics of vision is valuable for any patient.

So, how exactly do we see? First, light reflects off the objects in our environment. This reflected light enters the eye through the cornea, a frontal layer of tissue. Our sense of vision reaches far and wide, which explains why we can see everything from a tiny fly to an elaborate mountain landscape. The cornea is what accepts the diverse array of light that bounces off of these objects, bending them through the eye’s dark center—the pupil. Even the most minuscule alteration affects vision, which is why so people need glasses or contacts to see properly.

After light bends through the pupil, the pupil either contracts or expands based on the light’s magnitude. The contractions and expansions are controlled by the iris, a muscle ring inside the eye’s colored portion. After the light is adjusted, it passes through the lens, where its path is adjusted and brings into focus on the retina, the receiving center at the rear of the eye.

Next, the retina transforms the light into electrical impulses, which journey to the brain and are recognized as specific images—be it the aforementioned fly, that mountain landscape, or something completely different. Every part of the eye has its own unique function that contributes to vision, leading us from simple rays of light to a final, comprehensive image. 

If you need optometry services in Anchorage, let the skilled staff at Northern Lights Eye Care serve the entire family with the highest level of knowledge and expertise. Visit the website to learn more about their practice or like their Facebook for helpful information and up-to-date offers. Want to set up an appointment? Call (907) 276-3937 to schedule yours today!