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Sclera

The sclera is the white outer coating of the eye. It is tough, fibrous tissue that extends from the cornea (the clear front section of the eye) to the optic nerve at the back of the eye. The sclera gives the eyeball its white color. The cornea and sclera are made of the same type of collagen fibers. In the cornea, the fibers are arranged in sheets and layers which makes the cornea clear. In the sclera, the fibers are arranged randomly.

Review Date: 8/4/2023

Reviewed By

Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

References

Standring S. Eye. In: Standring S, ed. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 45.

Taber's Online. Sclera. www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/748617/all/sclera. Accessed September 29, 2023.

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Eye - Illustration Thumbnail

Eye

The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or "white of the eye", and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.

Illustration

 
 
Eye - Illustration Thumbnail

Eye

The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or "white of the eye", and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.

Illustration

 
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