Lens: The transparent, elastic, curved structure behind the iris that helps focus light on the retina.

Iris: The circular pigmented membrane behind the cornea of the eye that gibes the eye its color. It also surrounds the pupil.

Pupil: The opening in the center of the iris through which light enters the eye.

Cornea: The transparent anterior part of the eye.

Aqueous: The fluid produced in the eye and filling the spaces in front of the lens and its attachments.

Conjunctiva: A clear layer of cells that covers the eye and directly contacts the atmosphere.

Sclera: The opaque, fibrous, protective layer of the eye.

Retina: A 10-layered, delicate nervous tissue membrane of the eye, continuous with the optic nerve that receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses through the optic nerve to the brain.

Ciliary Body: Structure of the eye that contains muscles that will affect focusing of the lens.

Suspensory Ligament: Series of fibers connecting the ciliary body and lens of the eye (holds lens in place).

Choroid: Vascular layer of tissue between the retina and sclera that supplies blood to the outer retina.

Optic Disk: Small area in the retina where the optic nerve enters the eye that is not sensitive to light. Also called the blind spot.
Optic Nerve: A bundle of nerve fibers that carries visual messages from the retina in the form of electrical signals to the brain.

Macula: An irregular yellowish depression on the retina, lateral to and slightly below the optic disk.

Vitreous: Transparent gel that fills the back part of the eye.

Cataract: Opacity of the lens or capsule of the eye that causes impairment of vision or blindness.

Glaucoma: Any of a group of eye diseases characterized by abnormally high intraocular fluid pressure, damaged optic disk, hardening of the eyeball and partial to complete loss of vision.

LASIK: Eye surgery in which the surface of the cornea is reshaped using a laser.

Punctal plugs: Small medical devices that are inserted into the tear ducts of the eyes to block them. They are used to treat dry eye.

Visual Field Test: Examination that may be performed to analyze a patient’s visual field.

Strabismus Surgery: Surgery to correct misalignment of the eyes.

Macular Degeneration: A progressive deterioration of the macula resulting in the loss of central vision.

Retinopathy: Any non-inflammatory disease of the retina.