Eye anatomy

When a baby is born, her eye is about 65 percent of the size of an adult eye. Growth occurs rapidly during the first year and then begins to slow down. After the onset of puberty, there are relatively few changes to the eye or eye structures.

The following chart will help you better understand the anatomy of your child’s eye.

1. Anterior chamber: the front section of the eye's interior where aqueous humor flows in and out, providing nourishment to the eye and surrounding tissues
2. Aqueous humor: the clear, watery fluid that moves in the eyeball
3. Blood vessels: arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the eye
4. Caruncle: a small, red portion of the corner of the eye that contains modified sebaceous and sweat glands
5. Choroid: the thin, blood-rich membrane that covers the white of the eyeball and is responsible for supplying blood to the retina
6. Ciliary body: the part of the eye that produces aqueous humor
7. Cornea: the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the iris and pupil; a contact lens rests on this part of the eye
8. Hyaloid canal: the narrow passageway that allows blood to flow through the eye
9. Iris: the colored part of the eye, which is partly responsible for regulating the amount of light permitted to enter the eye
10. Lateral canthus: the lateral (side) angle of the eye
11. Lens (or crystalline lens): the transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina; lens opacification refers to "cataract" formation
12. Lower eyelid: the lower, inferior, less mobile fold that covers the front of the eyeball when closed
13. Macula: the portion of the eye that allows us to clearly see fine details
14. Medial canthus: the medial (middle or center) angle of the eye
15. Optic nerve:a bundle of nerve fibers that connect the retina with the brain; the optic nerve carries signals of light, dark and colors to the area of the brain’s visual cortex, which assembles the signals into images and creates vision
16. Posterior chamber: the back section of the eye's interior
17. Pupil: the opening in the middle of the iris, through which light passes to the back of the eye
18. Retina: the light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the back of the eye; the retina senses light and creates impulses that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain
19. Sclera: the white, visible portion of the eyeball; the muscles that move the eyeball are attached to the sclera
20. Suspensory ligament of lens: a series of fibers that connect the ciliary body of the eye with the lens, holding it in place
21. Upper eyelid: the top, movable, superior fold that covers the front of the eyeball when closed
22. Vitreous body: a clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye