ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to enable the ophthalmic nurse to see the interrelationships between the various structures. The globe or eyeball is situated in the bony socket or orbit, which affords it protection. Also in the socket are nerves, muscles, blood vessels and fat. Anteriorly, the globe is also protected by the upper and lower eyelids, which contain muscles, secretory glands and eyelashes. The lacrimal gland sits in the upper-outer aspect of the frontal bone of the orbit and produces tears, which drain into the lacrimal drainage system. This is composed of an upper and lower punctum situated on the inner aspects of the upper and lower lid margins, the upper and lower canaliculi and the lacrimal sac, which opens into the nasal duct. Aqueous humour is produced by the ciliary processes, which are part of the ciliary body, and flows into the posterior chamber, through the pupil, into the anterior chamber and drains through the trabecular meshwork.
