Need a little refresher? Being familiar with the anatomy of the eye can make it easier to understand what is happening with uveitis.

Definitions

Ciliary Body: the part of the eye that connects the iris to the choroid. It helps the eye focus by controlling the shape of the lens and it provides nutrients to keep the lens healthy. This is the part of the eye impacted by intermediate uveitis.

Choroid: a thin, spongy network of blood vessels, which primarily provides nutrients to the retina. This is one of the parts of the eye impacted by posterior uveitis (choroiditis).

Iris: the colored circle at the front of the eye defines eye color and secretes nutrients to keep the lens healthy. The iris controls the amount of light that enters the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil. This is the part of the eye impacted by anterior uveitis.

Lens: the transparent tissue that allows light into the eye.

Optic Nerve: a bundle of nerve fibers that transmits electrical signals from the retina to the brain. The location where the optic nerve leaves the eye, transmitting signals from the eye to the brain, is called the optic papilla, also known as the optic disc.

Pupil: the dark circular opening in the center of the iris of the eye, varying in size to regulate the amount of light reaching the retina.

Retina: the layer of cells on the back, inside part of the eye that converts light into electrical signals sent to the brain. This is one of the parts of the eye impacted by posterior uveitis. The functional center of the retina is called the macula.

Sclera: the white outer layer of the eyeball. It is located at the front of the eye, continuous with the cornea.

Uvea: the pigmented layer of the eye, lying beneath the sclera and cornea, and includes the iris, choroid, and ciliary body

Vitreous: The fluid filled space inside the eye. This gel-like substance is also made up of tiny collagen fibers and gives the eye its shape.

Watch this:

Click here to watch short videos on specific parts of the eye from The Discovery Eye Foundation.

Below, this is easy to follow and may be helpful for more visual learners:

Eye Anatomy and Function – Made Easy