Anterior segment

Anterior Segment refers to the front third of the eye that includes the structures in front of the vitreous humour: the cornea, iris, ciliary body, and lens.

Anatomy

The anatomy of the anterior segment is complex and includes several key structures.

Cornea

The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. It is responsible for focusing most of the light that enters the eye.

Iris

The iris is a thin, circular structure in the eye, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupil and thus the amount of light reaching the retina.

Ciliary Body

The ciliary body is a part of the eye that includes the ciliary muscle, which controls the shape of the lens, and the ciliary epithelium, which produces the aqueous humour.

Lens

The lens is a transparent, biconvex structure in the eye that, along with the cornea, helps to refract light to be focused on the retina.

Function

The anterior segment plays a crucial role in vision by refracting light and focusing it onto the retina. The cornea and lens are responsible for most of the eye's optical power, while the iris and ciliary body control the amount of light entering the eye and the shape of the lens, respectively.

Diseases

Various diseases can affect the anterior segment, including glaucoma, cataract, and corneal ulcer. These diseases can lead to vision loss if not properly managed.

See Also

• Posterior segment
• Eye examination
• Ophthalmology

References

‎