Function of Selected Eye Structures
| Conjunctiva | Outer clear layer of cornea |
| Cornea | Bulbous portion of the eye that is responsible for most of the focusing. |
| Lens | When flexed so it changes shape, it focuses near vs. far. Lens shape is controlled by the ciliary body. The lens focuses sharpest portion of the image on the fovea; a pit at the back of the eye (not in all mammals). |
| Fovea | A pit at the back of the eye that is populated by cone cells (very few rods) |
| Retina | Photosensitive and neural layer of the eye. |
| Iris | Responsible for eye color and changes the size of the pupil. It is NOT responsible to a significant degree in regulating the amount of light that strikes the eye (that occurs at a chemical level. |
| Blind spot | Nerves and capillaries enter and exit the eye here. The nerve fibers and capillaries are so dense that no rods or cones can occupy this space. The blind spot can be seen here Also, see how your brain fills in the blind spot! |
