ABSTRACT
The human eye, approximately 24 mm in diameter, is a sophisticated neurosensory/optical instrument capable of detecting minute quantities of light and providing high-resolution ability. It is made up of a variety of cellular and noncellular components derived from ectodermal and mesodermal germinal sources. Its functional anatomy is best understood by understanding how it develops embryologically. Therefore, a major portion of this chapter will be devoted to eye development. Moreover, since this publication is a handbook of visual optics, the final section will focus on the anatomy and development of the optical components of the eye, namely, the cornea and the crystalline lens.
