Your eyes are made up of many different parts that work together to help you see. Check out the diagrams below to learn about each part of your eye and what it does.

Macula (MACK-yoo-luh) is the small, sensitive area of the retina needed for central vision. It contains the fovea.

Lens is the clear part of the eye behind the iris that helps to focus light on the retina. It allows the eye to focus on both far and near objects.

Iris is the colored part of the eye. It regulates the amount of light entering the eye through the pupil.

Pupil (PYOO-pul) is the opening at the center of the iris. The iris adjusts the size of the pupil and controls the amount of light that can enter the eye.

Cornea (KOR-nee-uh) is the clear dome covering the front of your eye. It helps your eye focus light so things look sharp and clear.

Sclera (SKLEH-ruh) is the white outer coating of the eye.

Vitreous humor (VIT-ree-us HYOO-mer) is the clear gel that fills the inside of the eye.

Fovea (FOH-vee-uh) is the center of the macula, where your vision is sharpest.

Optic nerve (OP-tic nurv) is the bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers that carry visual messages from the retina to the brain.

Retina (REH-tin-uh) is the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eyeball. It sends electrical impulses through the optic nerve to the brain.

Did You Know?

Vision depends on your brain as much as it does on your eyes.

Your eyes are delicate. That’s why your body has built-in ways to protect them. Here’s how:

Did You Know?

Each eye weighs about 1/4 ounce, measures less than 1 inch in diameter, and is shaped like a slightly flattended ball.

Gear up!

If you play sports, you know they can be a lot of fun. The last thing you want to do is miss a game, especially if it’s because you’re hurt. That’s why you should always follow the rules and wear the right safety gear.

Think about your favorite sport. Do you wear anything to protect your eyes, like goggles or a face mask? You might think you don’t need protective eyewear, but sports-related eye injuries are serious. Eye injuries are a leading cause of blindness among children in the United States. The good news is that most eye injuries can be prevented with the right protective eyewear.

Check out the list below to see examples of some sports that may put you at high risk for eye injuries.

High Risk

Moderate Risk

Low Risk

Protective Eyewear Fast Facts

• Everyone should wear protective eyewear.
• Ordinary prescription glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses won’t protect you from injuries. Most protective eyewear can be made to match your prescription.
• For the best protection, use eyewear made of ultra-strong polycarbonate.
• Choose eyewear specifically made for your sport and make sure it fits comfortably on your face.

Did You Know?

Toys, BB guns, darts, sticks, stones, and air guns can injure your eyes. Remember to play safe.

Whether you're on the basketball court, in chemistry class, or sitting by the pool, wearing protective eyewear is the best way to keep your eyes healthy and injury-free. In fact, the majority of eye injuries can be prevented by wearing the right protective eyewear. Check out the list of activities below to see what you need to protect your eyes.

Do you know what to do if you get sand in your eye? What if someone accidently elbows you in the eye during the game? Here are tips for dealing with some of the most common eye injuries. Remember to act fast and get help from an adult.

• If particles, like sand or dust, get into your eyes, don’t rub! Wash your eyes out with water.

• If you get hit in the eye with a ball, rock, or elbow, gently put a cold compress on your eye for 15 minutes. This should make the swelling go down and relieve the pain. Have an adult take you to the doctor.

• If a chemical from a class experiment, cleaning fluid, or battery acid splashes in your eye, wash your eye out with water for at least 10 minutes. Have an adult take you to the doctor immediately.

• If an object like a stick or pencil gets stuck in your eye, don’t pull it out. This is very serious. Have an adult put a loose bandage on your eye. Don’t put any pressure on the object. Have an adult take you to the doctor immediately.

Most eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear.

Healthy vision starts with you! Use these 10 tips to take care of your eyes.

1. Eat right to protect your sight.

Keep your eyes healthy by eating a well-balanced diet. Load up on different types of fruits and veggies, especially leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens. Fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut have been shown to help your eyes, too.

2. Get moving.

Did you know that kids who exercise often have a healthier body weight than kids who don’t? Being overweight or obese can put you at higher risk for diabetes and other conditions that can lead to vision problems.

3. Speak up if your vision changes.

Is your vision blurry? Do you squint a lot? Ever have trouble seeing things at school? Tell a parent or teacher if your eyes are bothering you or if you notice any changes in your vision.

4. Wear your glasses.

Your glasses help you see better, especially when they’re clean and free of smudges. Talk to an adult about how to clean your glasses and how to store them when you’re not wearing them.

5. Keep the germs away.

Always wash your hands before putting them close to your eyes, especially if you’re putting in or taking out contact lenses.

6. Gear up.

Playing your favorite sport? Using chemicals during science class? Mowing the lawn? Wear the right protection to keep your eyes safe. Many eye injuries can be prevented with better safety habits, such as using protective eyewear.

7. Wear your shades.

The sun’s rays can hurt your eyes. Choose sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. And remember, you should never look directly at the sun.

8. Give your eyes a break.

Do you spend a lot of time looking at a computer, phone, or TV screen? Staring at any one thing for too long can tire your eyes. Give your eyes a rest with the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

9. Say no to smoking.

Did you know that smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is the rest of your body? Smoking can put you at risk for some pretty serious eye issues, which can lead to blindness.

10. Talk about it.

Does anyone in your family have issues with their eyes? Not sure? Ask! Talking about eye health with your family can help all of you stay healthy.

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