Histology of The Eye

Copyright to Paul J. May, PhD, 2010

 Plucked? External Features of the Eye
Brace
to keep
eyes
open
Mascara for Dr.
May’s
talks

Thicker,
Longer Place
Lashes where
sleep
stuff
ends
up

Get the red out of the conjunctiva Pupil is dilated, are they interested?
 Primitive Eye Drawing
Ciliary
Body Conjunctiva
Sclera
Corneal
Posterior Stroma
Neural Chamber Iris
Retina
Vitreous Anterior
Optic Nerve Lens Corneal
Chamber
Epithelium
Retinal
Pigment Zonule
Epithelium of Zinn

Choroid Eye Lid

Anterior
Chamber
By Paul J. May
Advanced
Eye
Drawing
 Histology of the Eye

Lacrimation

The tear film has two functions:

1. The aqueous smooth surface makes for better optics.
2. Oxygen is provided to the anterior cornea by first
being dissolved in the tear film.
 Lacrimal Gland

Slide Set

The lacrimal gland is an entirely serous gland like the parotid, but it lacks fat
cells that are present in the parotid gland.
Secretion is controled by preganglionic parasympathetic motor neurons in
the superior salivatory nucleus. They exit with the facial nerve (CN VII). The
postganglionics are located in the pterygopalatine ganglion.
 Myoepithelial
Lacrimal Gland Cells

All Serous, Compound Tubuloalveolar Gland. Junquiera & Carneiro

Produces a watery exudate containing lysozyme with antibacterial properties.
 Histology of the Eye
Eyelid

The eyelids close in reflexive blinks to protect the eye.

They also blink rhythmically to spread the tear film
over the cornea. They help form the conjunctival sac,
which holds the tears. Uncontrolled repetitive blinking
is called blepharospasm.
Levator Palpebrae Superioris Muscle –
Holds upper lid up. Supplied by motor
neurons in the Oculomotor Nucleus.
Tarsal Muscles – Helps hold lids open.
Nerve supply:
Preganglionic sympathetics – T1 and T2
intermediolateral gray
Postganglionic motor neurons in
superior cervical ganglion.
Orbicularis Oculi Muscle – Closes eye.
Supplied by motor neurons in facial
nucleus via CN VII.
Tarsal Plate stiffens the lid.
Tarsal Gland of Meibohm: Compound
branched alveolar sebacous gland that
secretes oil to limit evaporation of tears.
Lashes are sensors that trigger blinks.
Glands of Moll – Apocrine gland –
Product may be antimicrobial.
 Orbicularis Oculi
Muscle
Lash
Tarsal Gland
Of Meibohm

Gland
Of Moll
Lash

Slide Set
Here are the structures found distally in the eyelid.
 Tendon of
Levator Palpebrae
Superioris Muscle

Superior Tarsal Muscle

Tarsal Gland
Of Meibohm

Slide Set

Here are the structures found proximally in the eyelid.

 Histology of the
Eye
Cornea

Remember, the cornea is avascular, but highly

innervated. The former characteristic allowed
it to be transplanted long before other organs.

It is the main, albeit non-adjustable, element

of refraction. LASEKS/LASIKS surgery takes
advantage of this fact by resculpting the
corneal curve.
 Anterior Corneal Epithelium –
Stratified, nonkeratinized, squamous
Corneal Layers epithelium.
Anterior Bowman’s Membrane (anterior
Corneal limiting membrane) – The first layer of
Epithelium underlying connective tissue.

Corneal Corneal Stroma or Substantia Propria

Substantia – Very regularly arranged Type I
Propria collagen fibers produced by
keratocytes.

Posterior
Descemet’s Membrane (Posterior
Corneal Keratocytes limiting membrane) – Basement
Epithelium membrane of the posterior corneal
epithelium. Made up of type VIII
Descemet’s
collagen.
Membrane Posterior Corneal Epithelium (formerly
the corneal endothelium)– Simple
Bowman’s squamous epithelium that controls
Membrane passage of fluid and nutrients to the
corneal stroma.
Slide Set

The layers of the cornea are easily seen. Note the greater
thickness of the external surface.
Anterior Stratified squamous
epithelium, usually
Corneal 5-6 cells thick, is
Epithelium supplied by free
nerve endings.

Surface processes
on epithelial cells
help hold the tear
film in place.
Corneal
irregularities
Junquiera & Carneiro
can cause
astigmatism –
uneven
focusing of
the image.

TEM Cross & Mercer

Slide Set

Oxygen is supplied to the anterior corneal epithelium by way of

the tear film. Without sufficient tears, the surface ulcerates.
 Keratocyte

TEM Cross & Mercer

Note the extremely regular arrangement of Type I collagen fibers in the

stroma. Individual layers lie orthoganal (perpendicular) to one another.
The keratocytes are specialized fibroblasts that maintain the collagen
fibers. It is the stroma that is resculpted in laser surgeries.
Posterior Limiting Membrane – Descemet’s Membrane

Type VIII
collagen in
Descemet’s
membrane
forms a
hexagonal
array.

Descemet’s
membrane is
Posterior Limiting Membrane actually the
thickened
basement
membrane of
the posterior
corneal
Geneser epithelium.
 Posterior Corneal Epithelium
This simple
squamous
epithelium has
tight junctions
between the
cells and it
Slide Set controls the
flow of nutrients
to the corneal
stroma.
It keeps the
stroma slightly
dehydrated, for
better optics.
Anterior
Chamber
P.C.E.
Cross & Mercer
 Slide Set

The limbus (corneal-sclera junction) contains Tenon’s capsule, where the

collagen fibers run parallel to the edge of the cornea to maintain its bulging
shape. Unfortunately, this difference in orientation is not visible in sections.
 Histology of the Eye
Iris & Pupil

The iris controls the amount of light entering the eye

through the pupil in order to keep the light levels falling on
the retina in the best range of the photoreceptors. Thus,
the pupil constricts in response to higher luminance
levels. It also constricts to increase depth of field when
viewing nearby targets. The pupil dilates when luminance
levels fall, but also in response to arousal caused by fear
or desire. Sympathomimetics are used to dilate the eye
for easier visualization of the retina with a fundoscope.
 The iris is a
delicate flap of
tissue lying in front
of the lens.
View on Next Slide

Junquiera & Carneiro

 Components of the Iris
Anterior iridial border – Just an
edge made by fibroblasts and
melanocytes.
Iris stroma – Loose connective
tissue with vessels and
melanocytes.
Anterior iridial epithelium – A layer
of inner tunic cells with melanin
granules. These cells have
processes that contain myosin and
form the dilator pupillae muscle.
Ant & Post Anterior Posterior iridial epithelium –
Iridial Iridial Densely pigmented back layer of
Epithelium Border the iris, also part of inner tunic.
Constrictor (sphincter) pupillae
muscle – band of smooth muscle
that encircles pupillary margin.
Slide Set
The dilator pupillae muscle is actually made of a series of processes from
anterior iridial epithelium cells. These processes contain myifibrils and
constrict in response to adrenergic sympathetic input.

Dilator pupillae muscle – Sympathetic: Preganglionics in T1

intermediolateral gray, Postganglionics in Superior cervical ganglion.

Sphincter pupillae muscle: Parasympathetic: Preganglionics in Edinger-

Westphal N., exit with CN III, Postganglionics in ciliary ganglion.
Use your oil objective to see the myoepithelial anterior iridial epithelium.

Posterior Anterior
Iridial Iridial
Epithelium Epithelium

Dilator Pupillae M.
Slide Set

Anterior iridial epithelium – A layer of inner tunic cells with melanin

granules. Their processes contain myosin and form the dilator
pupillae muscle.
Posterior iridial epithelium – Densely pigmented back layer of the
iris, also part of inner tunic.
 Histology of the
Eye

Ciliary Body

The ciliary body has three functions:

1. It controls the curvature of the lens, allowing the
image to be focused on the retina.
2. It produces aqueous humor, which flows through the
posterior chamber, nourishing the lens, and into the
anterior chamber to nourish the cornea.
3. It maintains the vitreous humor.
 Ciliary Body
• The Cilary Body has 2 main parts:
– Pars plicata (folded part)– which produces the aqueous humor
for the posterior and anterior chambers
– Pars Planum (flat part)– which maintains the vitreous humor.

• The Ciliary Body has 4 layers (from outside in):

– Ciliary Muscle – smooth muscle which controls tension in the
zonnule of Zinn, to maintain the focus of the lens
– Stratum Vasculosum - which contains fenestrated capillaries that
are the source of the aqueous humor
– Pigmented Ciliary Epithelium - which absorbs any stray light
striking the ciliary body.
– Unpigmented Ciliary Epithelium - which regulates the
components of the aqueous and vitreous humor.
Slide Set

Pars plicata makes aqueous

Pars planum maintains the vitreous
 Pars Plicata of the Ciliary Body

Fenestrated
vessels in the
stratum
vasculosum are Stratum
the source of the Vasculosum
Unpigmented
fluids flowing in
Ciliary
the aqueous
Epithelium
humor.

However, the
unpigmented
ciliary epithelium, Pigmented
with its tight Ciliary
junctions, controls Epithelium
the components of
Slide Set Ciliary Muscle
the aqueous.
 TEM of Ciliary Epithelium
Unpigmented

Pigmented

Posterior
Fenestrated Chamber
Capillary

Cross & Mercer

Note the large number of vacuoles in these cells that support

movement from the fenestrated capillaries into the aqueous humor.
 Histology of the
Eye

Aqueous Humour

Aqueous humor has high levels of NaCl, bicarbonate, amino acids

and ascorbate, but relatively low levels of glucose and almost no
protein.

The rate of aqueous humor production is controlled by the blood

pressure and flow rate of the blood in stratum vasculosum.
The content of the aqueous humor is regulated by the unpigmented
ciliary epithelium, which forms the blood-aqueous border.

Aqueous humor is produced in pars plicata of the ciliary body, flows

through the posterior chamber, pupil and anterior chamber. It
sustains the lens and cornea, but not the iris, which is well supplied
with vessels. It empties into the trabecular meshwork at the
irideocorneal angle, and from there drains into the canal of Schlemm.
 Flow of Aqueous Humour

Anterior
Chamber

Posterior Chamber
Slide Set
Aqueous humor is produced in pars plicata of the ciliary body,
flows through the posterior chamber, pupil and anterior chamber. It
empties into the trabecular meshwork at the irideocorneal angle.
 Slide Set Limbus

Cornea
Slide Set

The cornea meets the sclera at the limbus. The largest holes found in the
limbus near the irideocorneal angle belong to the Canal of Schlemm. This
canal is not continuous, so it may not be present in every slide.
 Glaucoma is caused by a lack
Trabecular of balance between the
Cornea Meshwork production and outflow of
aqueous humor. The build up in
Canal of pressure is painless, but it will
Schlemm eventually cause compression
r is of the vessels that supply the
I retina, leading to blindness.
You can recognize this problem
with a simple ophthalmoscopic
(fundoscopic) exam. Look for
cupping of the optic disk where
the retinal arteries enter.
In narrow angle glaucoma the
irideocorneal angle impedes
Aqueous empties outflow.
into the trabecular In open angle glaucoma the
meshwork, and from problem may be ciliary
there drains into the
overproduction or clogging of
canal of Schlemm. Slide Set
the trabecular meshwork.
 The ora
Junquiera serata is the
& Carneiro
border
between the
ciliary body,
with its 2-
layered
epithelium
and the retina,
with a 10-
layered
epithelium.

Retina

Slide
Ciliary Body Set
Ora Serata
 Histology of the
Eye
Actions of the Ciliary Body,
Suspensory Ligament
(Zonule of Zinn) upon the Lens
The Near Triad refers to the three actions that occur when looking at close
by targets. They are all produced by axons of motor neurons traveling in
the oculomotor nerve (C.N. III) to the extraocular muscles (1) and the
ciliary ganglion (2&3).
1. Convergence: The skeletal muscle fibers of the medial rectus m. contract
to converge the eyes, due to input from alpha motor neurons.
2. Accommodation: The smooth muscle in the ciliary m., activated by
postganglionic parasympathetics, constricts so that the anterior surface
of the lens will become more convex, focussing the image on the retina.
3. Pupillary Constriction: The smooth muscle of the sphincter pupillae m. is
activated by postganglionic parasympathetics, to increase depth of field.
The suspensory
ligaments (zonnule
of Zinn) form a
series of spokes all
along the equator
of the lens. They
originate from pars
planum and in
between the folds
of pars plicata.
They insert into the
lens capsule.

Junquiera
& Carneiro
 The fine
filaments of
the
suspensory
ligament
can be seen
lying
between the
Suspensory lens and
Ligaments ciliary body,
and along
the surface
of the ciliary
body.

Slide Set
Distant Focus:
Ciliary Muscle Relaxed The ciliary muscle
Zonule tense
Anterior lens surface flattened contracts when
we attempt to
focus on nearby
targets.
This decreases
the tension in the
zonule, which
Near Focus: allows the anterior
Ciliary Muscle Constricted
Zonule slack surface of the lens
Anterior lens surface curved
to assume a more
curved shape due
to its own internal
elasticity.
Diseases of Accommodation

The cornea provides the strongest refraction, but

only the lens provides adjustable refraction.

Myopia – loss of distance vision.

Hyperopia and, with age, Presbyopia- loss of near
vision.

These can be due to the length of the eyeball or

problems in the refracting elements, e.g. cornea.
 Histology of the Eye
The Lens
The anterior lens is coated by a simple squamous to
cuboidal epithelium – the anterior lens epithelium.

The posterior lens consists of an inner nucleus and an

outer cortex. They are made up of elongated cells called
lens fibers.

The entire structure is encased by a very thick basement

membrane called the lens capsule.

Cataracts – are any opaque areas in the lens. These can

be due to age or other sources such as trauma or
infection. They are generally treated by replacing the
natural lens with an artificial one.
 Due to divisions in the
anterior lens
epithelium, over time
cells are added to the
cortex at the equator of
the lens. These are in
turn converted into
nuclear fibers.
The nucleus is not as
flexible, so as it grows
Nucleus with age, the lens
becomes more difficult
to focus. Eventually, in
presbyopia, the lens
Cortex loses so much of its
natural flexibility that
the actions of the
ciliary muscle can no
longer bring close
objects into focus.
Embryonic Lens
 The nucleus of
The Equator Region of the Lens the lens has
cells that lack
Slide Set nuclei.
This region
Lens Nucleus
has the best
optics.
The cells in
the cortex still
have nuclei,
so they are
Cortex alive, and are
more flexible,
allowing the
Lens lens to
Capsule
Anterior
accommodate
Lens Epithelium Zonule of Zinn for focus.
SEM

Lens fibers in the

nucleus are
practically dead
cells. They are
simply bags filled
with a protein group
TEM
called crystalins.
Numerous gap
junctions
(arrowheads)
keeping the lens
fibers ionically
connected.

Cross & Mercer

Histology of the
Eye

Choroid & Sclera

 Layers of the Choroid
Pigment Epithelium of the Retina
Bruch’s membrane –
basement membrane of
the pigment epithelium.
Choriocapillaris Choriocapillaris – thin layer
with the capillary bed that
feeds the pigment
Bruch’s epithelium and
Substantia
Membrane Propria of the photoreceptors.
choroid Substantia propria – dark
layer containing large
vessels and numerous
melanocytes.
Blood in the choriocapillaris supplies the Suprachoroid – densely
retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor pigmented outer layer of
layer. The rest of the retina is supplied by the choroid. (We will NOT
branches of the central retinal artery. identify this as a separate
layer.)
Substantia
Propria
of the
Choroid

Slide Set

You will need to find these layers of the choroid in the lab.
 In retinal detachment,
the seal between the
retinal pigment
epithelium and the
retinal photoreceptors
(double headed arrow)
is broken. This deprives
the photoreceptors of
their blood supply in the
choriocapillaris.

You will need to use

an oil objective to
distinguish the
Choriocapillaris and
Bruch’s membrane
Slide Set as separate features.
 Layers of the Sclera
S
U
Cutting B Episclera – has
Artifact S vessels, nerves and
T
A C lots of adipose tissue.
N H
T O Substantia Propria –
I R has thick bundles of
A O
I collagen.
Episclera
P D
R Retina
O
P
R
I
A
Sclera
Slide Set
 The retina sends
signals to the sclera of
the growing eye ball.
These signals regulate
The collagen scleral growth, and
bundles are hence the shape of the
not as well eyeball, in order to
ordered as in maintain a size
the cornea. appropriate for proper
focus.
If the eyeball is too
short, the result is
hyperopia. If it is too
long, the result is
myopia. The near work
hypothesis suggests
Fibroblast that myopia may result
from doing too much
close up focusing in
early life.
 Slide Set
You may see skeletal muscle fibers in the episclera. These belong
to the extraocular muscles that point the eye at targets.
 Vitreous Inner Limiting Membrane

Nerve Fiber Layer

You will
Ganglion Cell Layer
need to
know the
layers of Inner Plexiform Layer
the retina
for
Inner Nuclear Layer
today’s
lab. The
contents
will be Outer Plexiform Layer
handled
in a Outer Nuclear layer
fututre
lecture. Photoreceptor Layer
Pigment Epithelium
Slide Set

The optic nerve

head or optic
papilla can be
visualized with
your ophthalmoscope. Its appearance
is important for diagnosis. The central
retinal artery enters here.

Cupping of the optic papilla is

indicative of glaucoma.

Swelling of the nerve head,

papilledema, is indicative of increased
intracranial pressure.

This exam also shows the macula,

the thick central retina, which contains
the fovea, the area of best vision.
If you look
at your slide
before
placing it on
the stage,
this is what
you’ll see.

The clever
student will
use this to
figure out
where they
should be
looking
before they
use the
microscope.
 The End
• Slides showing the developmental schema
that produces the layers of the eye ball and
related terminology are appended here.
These may be of value for the
comprehensive exam.
 Tunics of the Eye
Inner Tunic
– Pars Optica (seeing part) Outer or Fibrous Tunic
• Neural retina – Pars Optica (seeing part)
• Pigment epithelium • Sclera
– Pars Caeca (blind part) – Pars Caeca (blind part)
• Pars Ciliaris • Pars Ciliaris
– Unpigmented Ciliary – Sclera
Epithelium • Pars Anterior
– Pigmented Ciliary
Epithelium – Corneal Stroma
• Pars Iridica
– Anterior Iridial Epithelium Ciliary
– Posterior Iridial Epithelium Body Conjunctiva
Sclera
Corneal
Vascular Tunic Posterior
Neural Chamber
Stroma
Iris
– Pars Optica (seeing part) Retina
• Choroid Vitreous Lens
Anterior
Optic Nerve Chamber Corneal
– Pars Caeca (blind part) Epithelium
• Pars Ciliaris Retinal
Zonule
Pigment
– Stratum Vasculosum Epithelium of Zinn
– Ciliary Muscle
Choroid
• Pars Iridica Anterior
Eye Lid
– Iridial Stroma Chamber
 1
Eye development drawings
that you can do.
2

Pigment
Epithelium
3
Future Inner Tunic

4 Ciliary
Body Conjunctiva
Sclera
Corneal
Posterior Stroma
Neural Chamber Iris
Retina
Anterior
Neural Retina
Vitreous Lens
Optic Nerve Chamber Corneal
Epithelium
Retinal
Pigment Zonule
Epithelium of Zinn

Choroid Eye Lid

Anterior
Chamber
 Ciliary

Inner Tunic Sclera

Body Conjunctiva

Corneal
Pars Optica (seeing part) Posterior
Neural Chamber
Stroma
Iris
Retina
Neural retina Optic Nerve
Vitreous Lens
Anterior
Corneal
Chamber
Pigment epithelium Retinal
Epithelium

Zonule
Pars Caeca (blind part) Pigment
Epithelium of Zinn

Pars Ciliaris Choroid

Anterior
Eye Lid
Chamber
Unpigmented Ciliary Epithelium
Neural Ciliary
Pigmented Ciliary Epithelium Body Iris
Pars Iridica Retina
Anterior Iridial Epithelium
Posterior Iridial Epithelium
Unpigmented
Ciliary
Epithelium Posterior
Irideal
Epithelium
Optic Nerve Lens

Pigmented
Ciliary
Epithelium Anterior
Pigment Irideal
Epithelium Epithelium

The inner tunic derives from the optic cup Pars Optica Pars Caeca
 Ciliary
Body
Vascular Tunic Sclera
Conjunctiva

Corneal
Pars Optica (seeing part) Posterior
Neural Chamber
Stroma
Iris
Choroid Retina
Anterior
Vitreous
Pars Caeca (blind part) Optic Nerve Chamber
Lens Corneal
Epithelium

Pars Ciliaris Retinal

Pigment Zonule
of Zinn
Stratum Vasculosum Epithelium

Choroid
Ciliary Muscle Anterior
Chamber
Eye Lid

Pars Iridica
Ciliary
Iridial Stroma Body Iris
Choroid

Ciliary
Muscle

Optic Nerve Lens

Stratum
Vasculosum
Irideal
Stroma
The vascular tunic derives from the
mesenchyme and neural crest
that aggregates around the optic cup Pars Optica Pars Caeca
 Ciliary
Body
Outer or Fibrous Tunic
Conjunctiva
Sclera
Corneal
Pars Optica (seeing part) Posterior
Neural Chamber
Stroma
Iris
Retina
Sclera Vitreous Anterior
Optic Nerve Lens Corneal
Pars Caeca (blind part) Chamber
Epithelium

Pars Ciliaris Retinal

Pigment
Epithelium
Zonule
of Zinn

Sclera Choroid Eye Lid

Pars Anterior Anterior
Chamber

Corneal Stroma
Ciliary
Body Conjunctiva
Sclera
Corneal
Stroma
Iris
Anterior
Optic Nerve Lens Corneal
Epithelium

The outer tunic also develops from

Eye Lid
mesenchyme, but it extends into
the cornea. Pars Optica Pars Caeca
 Citations for Materials Used
• T.D. Pollard and W.C. Earnshaw, Cell Biology, Saunders – Elsevier
Inc. Philadelphia, 2004.

• P.C. Cross and K.L. Mercer, Cell and Tissue Ultrastructure A

Functional Perspective, Freeman and Co., New York, 1993.

• L.C. Junqueira and J. Carneiro, Basic Histology Text and Atlas,

10’th Edition, Lange Medical Books, McGraw-Hill, Chicago, 2003.

• AB.M. Carlson, Human Embryology and Developmental Biology, 3rd

Edition, Mosby, Philadelphia, 2004.

• F. Geneser, Textbook of Histology, Munfsgaard, Lea & Febiger,

Philadelphia, 1986.