If you look in the mirror, you may notice the beautiful specs in your eyes. You may also notice your pupils and how they dilate. The relationship between the brain and the eyes is a complicated one. Both are needed in order for you to see an image. You may not give much thought to it. However, if you look into the process, you will see just how amazing the eyes and brain are.
It Is Complicated
The pathways between the eyes and brain seem almost convoluted. You are able to see images when light shines onto the retina of your eyes. The retina is located at the back of your eye. When the retina first registers an image, it is flipped and upside down. It is comparable to how you see yourself in the mirror.
Crossing Over of Optic Nerves
The retina uses optic nerves, a collection of neuronal axons, to send signals to the brain. Midway between the brain and retinas there is a location called the optic chiasm where the neuronal axons cross over. Axons close to the center of your face cross over. The crossing over of the neuronal axons makes it possible to have greater depth perception.
The Optic Tract
Crossed nerves located at the optic chiasm send information to the part of the brain that is the opposite side of the eye that the information was initially received from. So, information from the left eye is passed on to the right side of the brain. The optic nerve from the chiasm to the brain is known as the optic tract.
The Final Image
Optic tracts travel to the part of the brain known as the thalamus. The thalamus relays both sensory and motor information to the cortex as well as takes information from the cortex. There is also a structure known as the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) that is part of the thalamus. In the LGN, the optic nerves terminate. As a result, the LGN continues to relay the information to the final destination. This destination is known as the occipital visual cortex. Here, the brain corrects and processes the image.
Evolutionary Eye Care
Even though your eyes seem to work instantaneously, the process of viewing images is a complex one. Issues between your eyes and brain can cause certain problems to come up. Some of these issues include dry eye and low vision. Evolutionary Eye Care is a family clinic that treats these issues. We use HD Digital Refraction systems to give the most accurate eye exams. We also provide vision therapy. Contact us today.
