Have you ever noticed that the white part of your eyes looks different, redder, or yellower than usual when you look in the mirror? We all look at our eyes, but we don't really know much about this white part, the 'white ring', do we? You probably don't know how important this white part that we see in the mirror every day, but don't pay much attention to, is for our eyes. Today, we'll talk about this important part that protects our eyes.
Simply put, what is this sclera?
The sclera is the white part of your eye. Some people also call it the "white of the eye." Simply put, it's like a strong, protective covering that surrounds most of your entire eyeball. This white part extends from the cornea at the front of your eye to the optic nerve at the back.
This is a very thin membrane. To be precise, about a millimeter thick. That's about the thickness of your credit card. But don't let that thinness fool you, this is a very strong, protective tissue . It's the sclera that gives the white of our eye its color and provides the eye with the support and protection it needs.
What is the actual function of this white onion?
This is not just a white area. It does a much more important job.
- A Protective Wall: The sclera is the main protector of your eye. Like a wall around a house, it protects the delicate parts inside your eye from external hazards, dust, and impacts. Imagine if you were to be hit in the eye by a ball while playing cricket, the strong sclera is the first to bear the brunt of the impact.
- Maintaining Shape: Our eyes get their spherical shape because of the sclera. Without this strong wall, the eye would not be able to maintain a specific shape due to the fluid inside the eye.
- Muscle Attachment: Have you ever wondered how you can move your eyes left, right, up, and down? There are six delicate muscles that help with that. These muscles attach, or are attached, to this sclera. So it's essential for moving your eyes.
Why is this part white? What is it made of?
This is a very interesting fact. The sclera is made up of a strong fiber called collagen . Collagen is a type of protein found in many parts of our bodies. It's in your skin, your bones, your muscles.
So why is it white? The reason is the way these collagen fibers are arranged inside the sclera. These fibers are intertwined, crisscrossed, and arranged in a chaotic network, with no pattern.
Imagine if you had a lot of threads tangled together and tangled up, wouldn't light be able to pass through it? That's why it's opaque, meaning it looks white. That's how the sclera is.
But if you take the cornea, which is at the front of your eye, it is also made of collagen. But the collagen fibers in it are arranged in a very neat, uniform pattern. So light can pass through it without any obstacles. That's why the cornea is transparent to us, that is, transparent. Isn't it a very amazing design?
Why does the white part of the eye sometimes change color?
It's normal for our eyes to turn red or slightly yellow sometimes. This can happen when we breathe in dust, smoke, or sleep deprivation. But if the whites of your eyes have changed color for more than a day or two, it's not a good idea to ignore it. There are several possible causes.
| Cause | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Eye infections | Bacteria or viruses can cause red eyes and watery eyes. This is a condition called 'eye disease'. |
| Jaundice / Yellow fever | This is something that many people know. When the liver functions poorly, the yellow pigment bilirubin increases in the blood, causing the eyes and skin to turn yellow. |
| Uveitis and Episcleritis | These are redness caused by certain problems with our own immune system that attack parts of the eye. They are often associated with other diseases, such as joint swelling. |
| Membrane (Pterygium) | People who work in the sun and dust for a long time may develop a pinkish fleshy patch on the white part of their eyes, which can also cause redness in the eye. |
| Other Conditions | The whites of the eyes can become pale due to anemia, and some rare genetic diseases (e.g. Osteogenesis Imperfecta) can cause them to turn blue. |
| Minor Injuries & Allergies | It's common to experience red eyes (bloodshot eyes) from things like dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander. These are usually temporary. |
How to restore the color of discolored white onions?
The most important answer to this is to first find the cause . For that, you should definitely see a doctor, especially an ophthalmologist. He or she will examine your eyes and find out exactly why the color has changed.
Never use eye drops purchased from a pharmacy without consulting a doctor. Some eye drops may contain ingredients that could make your condition worse.
Once the cause is found, treatment is determined based on that cause.
- If there is an allergy or slight redness: The doctor will prescribe an appropriate type of eye drops.
- If it is a bacterial infection: Eye drops or tablets containing antibiotics will be given.
- In the case of a condition like jaundice: the liver disease that is causing it needs to be treated. Then the yellow color of the eyes will disappear on its own.
- Something like a pterygium: If it gets large and obstructs vision, it can be removed with a minor surgery.
What should we do to protect the whites of our eyes?
Protecting our eyes is very important, and there are a few simple things we can do to do that.
- Wear safety glasses: If you play sports (especially cricket and squash), or if you weld, work with wood, or do gardening, wearing safety glasses can help prevent many eye injuries.
- Wear sunglasses: Wearing good quality sunglasses protects your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays, as well as dust and wind.
- Keep your hands clean: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes, especially if you are putting in or taking out contact lenses. Germs on our hands can easily get into our eyes.
When should you see a doctor?
If you have any of the symptoms below, don't ignore it. See a doctor as soon as possible.
| Feature to pay attention to | Description |
|---|---|
| Color change | Redness, yellowing, or a strange blue/gray color that lasts for several days. |
| Blurred vision | If your vision suddenly or gradually becomes impaired. |
| Discharge from the eye | If there is discharge of mucus, pus, or other fluid from the eye. |
| Sensitivity to light | If the eyes become blue even in normal light, they feel pain. |
| Eye pain | If you feel severe pain, soreness, or pressure in or around the eye. |
If you see something like this, don't panic, but don't delay and see a doctor as soon as possible. Eyes are very precious, so it's not a good idea to ignore even a small thing.
Take-Home Message
- The white part of the eye, the sclera, is a strong wall that protects your eye.
- Although it is usually white, some medical conditions and infections can cause it to turn red, yellow, or blue.
- If the white of the eye continues to change color, there is pain, or there is a change in vision, seek medical advice immediately.
- Never use eye drops without the advice of a doctor.
- You can protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses and safety glasses and keeping your hands clean.
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