Question

The space between cornea and lens is (a) Aqueous chamber (b) Vitreous chamber (c) Canal of Schlemm (d) Fovea centralis

Short answer

The space between the cornea and the lens is the Aqueous chamber (a).

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Eye Anatomy

The human eye is made up of several parts, including the cornea, the lens, the aqueous chamber, the vitreous chamber, the Canal of Schlemm, and the Fovea centralis. Several spaces or chambers exist within the eye, each serving specific functions.

Identify the Position of Cornea and Lens

The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. The lens is a transparent structure located behind the iris and the pupil.

Identify the Space Between the Cornea and Lens

The space between the cornea and the lens is filled with a clear fluid called the aqueous humor. This space or chamber is referred to as the aqueous chamber.

Key concepts

Aqueous Chamber

The aqueous chamber is a crucial part of the eye's anatomy. It is located between the cornea and the lens. This chamber is filled with a clear fluid known as aqueous humor. The aqueous humor is responsible for nourishing the eye by delivering nutrients and carrying away waste.

Furthermore, the aqueous chamber helps maintain the eye's shape by providing internal pressure. This chamber is divided into two parts:

• Anterior Chamber: Located between the cornea and the iris.
• Posterior Chamber: Found between the iris and the lens.

Understanding the function and structure of the aqueous chamber along with the aqueous humor allows us to appreciate how the eye maintains its clarity and function.

Cornea

The cornea is the eye's outermost layer. It is clear and dome-shaped, covering the front part of the eye. Its main roles are protection and focusing light.

The cornea helps shield the eye from dust, germs, and other harmful elements. Thanks to its transparency and shape, it also plays a vital part in bending or refracting light onto the lens. This refraction is essential for clear vision. Unlike most parts of the body, the cornea has no blood vessels. It receives nourishment from tears and the aqueous humor in the anterior chamber.

The cornea consists of five layers:

• Epithelium
• Bowman’s Layer
• Stroma
• Descemet’s Membrane
• Endothelium

These layers work together to keep the cornea clear and healthy.

Lens

The lens is a transparent, flexible structure located directly behind the iris and pupil. It works alongside the cornea to focus light on the retina.

The lens is highly flexible, allowing it to change shape. This change in shape underpins the process called accommodation. Accommodation allows the eye to focus on objects at varying distances, ensuring clarity of vision.

The structure of the lens is quite remarkable. It is composed of multiple layers, similar to an onion, which helps it maintain transparency and flexibility throughout a person’s life. As we age, the lens may cloud over, leading to a common condition known as cataracts. This condition can affect its ability to focus light, reducing clarity of vision.