What is the function of the lens in the eye?

The lens in the eye plays a critical role in focusing images onto the retina, which is essential for clear vision. The lens is a transparent, flexible structure that changes shape to adjust its focus depending on the distance of an object being observed. When viewing faraway objects, the lens flattens, allowing light rays to bend appropriately and focus on the retina. Conversely, when viewing closer objects, the lens becomes more rounded to ensure that the light rays converge correctly on the retinal surface.

This ability to change shape is known as accommodation, and it enables us to see clearly at various distances. The retina then converts the focused images into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for processing, resulting in visual perception. Other functions related to light control, detection, or processing of visual information involve different parts of the eye or the brain, highlighting the specialized roles of the lens in focusing light accurately onto the retina.