Lesson Element
Unit 4: Anatomy and physiology for health and
social care
LO6: Understand the sensory systems,
malfunctions and their impact on individuals
The anatomy of the eye
Instructions and answers for tutors
These instructions cover the learner activity section which can be found on page 4. This
Lesson Element supports Cambridge Technicals Level 3 in Health and Social Care.
When distributing the activity section to the learners either as a printed copy or as a
Word file you will need to remove the tutor instructions section.
The activity
In this Lesson Element the learners are tasked with understanding the structure of the eye.
Suggested timing
1 hour
ABC – This activity offers an
opportunity for English skills
development.
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123 – This activity offers an
opportunity for maths skills
development.
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WORK – This activity offers
an opportunity for work
experience.
© OCR 2016
Activity 1
Ask learners to look at the diagram of the eye and draw their attention to the different
components that they will be asked to identify on it. Explain that they will also need to define
what each component is and why it is important to the eye and how it works.
Component
Pupil
Iris
Tear gland
Humours or fluids
Conjunctiva
Cornea
What it is
The pupil is an opening
situated in the middle of the
iris of the eye.
The iris is a thin tissue
located inside the eye. It
has a hole in the centre of it
called the pupil.
The tear glands (also
known as the lacrimal
glands) are located in the
upper part of the eye,
behind each eyelid.
These refer to the fluids
present in the eye. For
example, the aqueous
humour is the fluid that fills
the space in the eye that
lies between the cornea
and the iris.
The thin membrane that
covers the outer surface of
the eye and the inside of
the eyelids.
The eye’s outer layer that
covers the front of the eye.
Retina
The retina lines the back of
the eye and is situated near
to the optic nerve.
Macula
The macula is part of the
retina and is located at the
back of the eye.
The optic nerve is situated
at the back of the eye and
is also known as the cranial
nerve.
Optic nerve
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Why it is important
It allows light to be
transmitted to the retina.
It helps to control the amount
of light that enters the eye.
The tear glands secrete fluid
that cleans and protects the
eye’s surface.
They help the eye to maintain
its shape and prevent injuries
to the eye by helping to
absorb shocks to the eye.
It lubricates the outer layer of
the eye and helps to prevent
microbes entering into the
inner part of the eye.
It controls and focuses the
amount of light that enters
the eye.
It processes the light
received through the lens of
the eye and sends this on to
the brain for recognition.
It is responsible for detailed
central and colour vision.
The optic nerve transmits the
electrical impulses formed by
the retina to the brain, which
then interprets these
messages as images.
© OCR 2016
Ciliary muscle / suspensory
ligaments
A circular muscle that is
located in the eye’s middle
layer.
Lens
The lens is located behind
the pupil in the eye.
It enables the lens to change
shape for focusing on near
and distant objects; a
process referred to as
accommodation.
It enables vision by focusing
light that enters the eye onto
the retina.
Ask learners to follow these tips when identifying the eye’s components on the diagram:
1) Write clearly.
2) Use arrows to accurately reflect the location of each component.
3) Ensure that all components are included on the diagram.
Ask learners to follow these tips when describing the eye’s components:
1) Write in sentences and include as much detail as possible.
2) Detail the reasons why each component is an important part of the eye’s structure.
3) Ensure that descriptions have been provided of all components identified in the table.
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OCR acknowledges the use of the following content: Diagram of the eye; Shutterstock 92433742 Alexilusmedical.
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originator of this work.
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© OCR 2016
Lesson Element
Unit 4: Anatomy and physiology for health and
social care
LO6: Understand the sensory systems,
malfunctions and their impact on individuals
Learner Activity
The anatomy of the eye
The body’s sensory systems include the eyes, the organs of vision. You are going to
complete one activity: Identify and describe the components of the eye.
Activity 1
The eye is a very complex organ and is made up of many different parts.
The activity you are going to complete is in two parts. For Part 1 you are going to identify the
different parts of the eye on the diagram that has been provided. For Part 2 you are going to
describe each of these parts of the eye, including the reasons why they are important.
The Anatomy of the Eye
Part 1: Identify the following components of the eye on the diagram below.
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Pupil
Iris
Tear glands
Humours or fluids
Conjunctiva
Cornea
Retina
Macula
Optic nerve
Ciliary muscle / suspensory ligaments
Lens
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Part 2: For each component of the eye, state what it is and why it is important.
Component
Pupil
What it is
Why it is important
Iris
Tear gland
Humours or fluids
Conjunctiva
Cornea
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© OCR 2016
Component
Retina
What it is
Why it is important
Macula
Optic nerve
Ciliary muscle /
suspensory
ligaments
Lens
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© OCR 2016