
What is the white part of the eye called?
These include:
- corticosteroid eye drops
- artificial tear eye drops
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- treating an underlying inflammatory condition
What are the whites of the eye called?
The Whites Of The Eyes Can Reveal Secrets To Your Health
- A Gray Ring Around The Cornea. A gray ring around the eye, which is called "arcus senilis" is usually an early indicator of high cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Twisted Blood Vessels On The Eye. Broken or inflamed blood vessels around the iris are a sign of internal or external eye trauma. ...
- Yellowish Color. ...
- Eyes That Seem To Bulge. ...
- Red, Irritated Eyes. ...
What is the White of your eye called?
The white part of your eye (called the sclera) is a layer of tissue that protects the rest of your eye. When this area is inflamed and hurts, doctors call that condition scleritis.
What are the whites of Your Eyes called?
- aggression
- tendency toward angry or violent outbursts
- suspicion of others
- poor self-control

What is the white part of the eye?
The sclera is the white part of the eye that surrounds the cornea. In fact, the sclera forms more than 80 percent of the surface area of the eyeball, extending from the cornea all the way to the optic nerve, which exits the back of the eye. Only a small portion of the anterior sclera is visible.
Where does yellowing of the eyes occur?
Some researchers have stated that the yellowing of the eyes (jaundice) actually takes place in the conjunctiva, not the sclera itself, and that the condition should therefore be called conjunctival icterus instead.
Why do my eyes turn yellow?
Despite this, many doctors continue to call yellow eyes or yellowing of the eyes "scleral icterus" because it's the color of the underlying white sclera that is altered by the condition. Increased blood serum levels of bilirubin (an orange-yellow pigment formed in the liver) is commonly associated with scleral icterus.
What causes episcleritis in the eye?
The cause of most cases of episcleritis is unknown, but a significant minority (up to 36 percent) of people who get the eye condition have an associated systemic disorder — such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, rosacea, gout and others. Certain eye infections also may be associated with episcleritis.
Why is my sclera blue?
Blue sclera is caused by a congenitally thinner-than-normal sclera or a thinning of the sclera from disease, which allows the color of the underlying choroidal tissue to show through it .
How long does it take for a scleritis to pierce your eye?
Generally, the onset of scleritis is gradual, and most patients develop severe, piercing eye pain over several days. This pain tends to worsen with eye movements. In most cases, the inflammation begins in one area and spreads until the entire sclera is involved. Scleritis can cause permanent damage to the eye and vision loss.
What is the most painful red eye?
Scleritis. This is inflammation of both the episclera and the underlying sclera itself. Scleritis is a more serious and typically more painful red eye than episcleritis. Up to 50 percent of cases of scleritis involve an underlying systemic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the surface of the eye called?
The Surface of the Eye. The surface of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids are covered with a clear membrane called the conjunctiva. The layers of the tear film keep the front of the eye lubricated. Tears lubricate the eye and are made up of three layers. These three layers together are called the tear film.
Where is the light focused in the eye?
Light is focused into the eye through the clear, dome-shaped front portion of the eye called the cornea. Behind the cornea is a fluid-filled space called the anterior chamber. The fluid is called aqueous humor. The eye is always producing aqueous humor.
What is the role of the cornea and lens in the eye?
By helping to focus light as it enters the eye, the cornea and the lens both play important roles in giving us clear vision. In fact, 70% of the eye's focusing power comes from the cornea and 30% from the lens.
What is the muscle that controls the movement of the eyeball?
This is a strong layer of tissue that covers nearly the entire surface of the eyeball. This illustration shows eye muscles , which control eye movement.
What part of the retina is responsible for the transmission of light?
The retina has special cells called photoreceptors. These cells change light into energy that is transmitted to the brain. There are two types of photoreceptors : rods and cones.
What part of the eye is the orbit?
Eye Anatomy: Parts of the Eye Outside the Eyeball. The eye sits in a protective bony socket called the orbit. Six extraocular muscles in the orbit are attached to the eye. These muscles move the eye up and down, side to side, and rotate the eye. The extraocular muscles are attached to the white part of the eye called the sclera.
What is the function of the pupil?
Directly behind the pupil sits the lens. The lens focuses light toward the back of the eye. The lens changes shape to help the eye focus on objects up close.
What is the white part of the eye?
The sclera is sometimes known as the "whites" of the eye. It covers more than 80% of the eyeball's surface. 2
Which part of the eye allows downward eye movement?
The inferior rectus. Attaches to the bottom of the eye and allows downward eye movement.
What is the membrane that covers the sclera?
The conjunctiva is the membrane covering the sclera (white portion of your eye). The conjunctiva also covers the interior of your eyelids.
What is the episclera?
The episclera is a thin layer of tissue that lies on top of the sclera. The episclera has tiny blood vessels that supply the sclera with nutrients.
How many fibers are in the optic nerve?
The optic nerve is a bundle of about 1.2 million nerve fibers that transmit visual information to the central nervous system (brain). 7
How do eyes work?
The eyes work in the same way as cameras. When you focus on an object, light is reflected and enters the eye through the cornea. As the light passes through, the dome-shaped nature of the cornea bends light , enabling the eye to focus on fine details.
Where are light rays focused?
Light rays are focused on the macula lutea when an eye is looking directly at an object.
What is the white part of the eye called?
The sclera is the white part of the eye. When the sclera is swollen, red, tender, or painful (called inflammation), it is called scleritis. It is common for people with scleritis to have another disease, like rheumatoid arthritisor other autoimmune disease.
What is it called when the white part of the eye is swollen and red?
When the white part of the eye (sclera) is swollen, red, tender, or painful (called inflammation), it is called scleritis. It is common for people with scleritis to have another disease, like rheumato. My DashboardMy EducationFind an Ophthalmologist. Home. For Ophthalmologists.
What causes redness and irritation in the sclera?
There are three types of anterior scleritis. The most common can cause redness and irritation throughout the whole sclera and is the most treatable. Another type causes tender nodules (bumps) to appear on the sclera, and the most severe can be very painful and destroy the sclera.
Can you have scleritis at the front of your eye?
This form can cause problems resulting in retinal detachmentand angle-closure glaucoma. Some people only have one type of scleritis, but others can have it at the front and back of the eye.
What is the white part of the eyeball?
The white visible portion of the eyeball. The muscles that move the eyeball are attached to the sclera. Suspensory ligament of lens. A series of fibers that connects the ciliary body of the eye with the lens, holding it in place.
What part of the eye is covered by the skin?
Upper eyelid. Skin that covers the upper part of the eyeball, including the cornea, when closed.
Which layer of the eye senses light?
The opening in the middle of the iris through which light passes to the back of the eye. Retina. The light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the inside of the back of the eye. The retina senses light and creates impulses that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain. Sclera.
What is the anterior chamber of the eye?
Anterior chamber. The front section of the eye's interior where aqueous humor flows in and out, providing nourishment to the eye.
What is the clear dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye?
Cornea. The clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye.
Which membrane is responsible for supplying blood to the outer portion of the retina?
Choroid. The thin, blood-rich membrane that lies between the retina and the sclera and is responsible for supplying blood to the outer portion of the retina.
Which structure in the eye focuses light rays onto the retina?
The transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina. Lower eyelid. Skin that covers the lower part of the eyeball, including the cornea, when closed. Macula. The central portion of the retina that allows us to see fine details. Optic nerve.

Sclera Definition
Sclera Function
- The sclera, along with the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye, maintains the shape of the eyeball. The tough, fibrous nature of the sclera also protects the eye from serious damage — such as laceration or rupture — from external trauma. The sclera also provides a sturdy attachment for the extraocular muscles that control the movement of the eyes.
Sclera Problems
- Here are a few conditions that can affect the sclera: Scleral icterus (yellow eyes).This condition — also called icteric sclera — is a yellowing of the white of the eye. It is associated with hepatitis and other liver disease. There is some controversy about the accuracy of the name of this condition. Some researchers have stated that the yellowing of the eyes (jaundice) actually takes place in th…
What Is A Scleral Buckle?
- A scleral buckle is not a condition of the sclera — it's the name of a surgical procedure used to repair or prevent a detached retina. In the scleral buckle procedure, a band of silicone, rubber or semi-hard plastic is generally placed around the mid- to posterior sclera and sutured in place. This band pushes in, or "buckles," the sclera inward, toward the detached or torn retina, allowing the l…