Uvea

Uvea

The Uvea is the middle layer of the eye, located between the sclera and the retina. It is composed of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. The uvea is responsible for supplying blood to the deep layers of the retina.

Structure

The uvea is divided into three parts:

• Iris: The iris is the colored part of the eye. It controls the amount of light that enters the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil.

• Ciliary body: The ciliary body produces the aqueous humor, which nourishes the eye and maintains intraocular pressure. It also contains the ciliary muscle, which controls the shape of the lens for focusing.

• Choroid: The choroid is a layer of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the outer layers of the retina.

Function

The uvea plays a crucial role in the visual process. The iris controls the amount of light that enters the eye, the ciliary body produces the aqueous humor and controls the shape of the lens for focusing, and the choroid supplies the retina with nutrients and oxygen.

Clinical significance

Inflammation of the uvea, known as uveitis, can lead to vision loss if not treated promptly. Symptoms of uveitis include eye redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and dark, floating spots in the field of vision. Causes of uveitis include autoimmune disorders, infections, injury, and certain medications.

See also

• Eye
• Iris (eye)
• Ciliary body
• Choroid
• Uveitis

References

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