{"id":8582,"date":"2020-10-11T19:30:28","date_gmt":"2020-10-11T19:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=8582"},"modified":"2021-07-15T12:22:59","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T12:22:59","slug":"eye-anatomy-the-back-of-the-eye","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-health\/how-does-the-eye-work\/eye-anatomy-the-back-of-the-eye\/","title":{"rendered":"Eye Anatomy: The Back of the Eye"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that the back of the eye is responsible for transferring visual information from the eye to the brain?<\/b><\/h2>\n

In order to see clearly, light is focused onto the back of your eye where it is transformed into electrical impulses. These impulses travel from your eye to your brain, to be processed, organized and interpreted\u2014 providing you with an image you can see and understand.<\/p>\n

The following ocular structures lie within the deepest layer of the eye, also known as the posterior area of the eye.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Vitreous<\/b><\/h2>\n

The vitreous chamber<\/b> is located in the back of the eye, and is the largest of the eye\u2019s chambers\u2014 accounting for around 80 percent of the eye. (You may remember the anterior chamber<\/i>, located in the front of the eye<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The vitreous\u00a0humor<\/b>, commonly called the vitreous, is a clear jelly-like fluid that fills the space between the lens and the retina.<\/p>\n

Most of the vitreous consists of water, while the rest is a combination of collagen, proteins, salts and sugars\u2014 all contributing to its gelatinous consistency.<\/p>\n

The vitreous is responsible for maintaining the shape of the eyeball, and protecting its inner structures. The vitreous also enables the retina to remain in its place, connected to the back of the eye.<\/p>\n

Over time, the vitreous loses its jelly-like consistency and becomes smaller and more liquidy. The collagen and proteins may also form clumps or strings which float around the vitreous, causing shadows to form over the retina. Many people notice these floaters out of the corner of their eyes.<\/p>\n

When the vitreous becomes thin, it can cause posterior vitreous detachment<\/i>, when the retina detaches from the back of the eye. This condition can also cause the appearance of floaters which generally go away over time, and typically do not cause any long term effects.<\/p>\n

Sclera<\/b><\/h2>\n

The sclera is the outermost layer of the eye, also known as the white of the eye<\/b>.<\/p>\n

The sclera is made up of tough fibrous tissue and is responsible for giving the eye it\u2019s round shape and protecting the inner structures of the eye.<\/p>\n

The sclera consists of three parts:<\/p>\n