Which part of the eye is responsible for providing the eye's protective outer layer?

The cornea is the part of the eye that serves as its protective outer layer. It is a transparent, dome-shaped structure that covers the front of the eye and plays a crucial role in focusing light onto the retina, which is essential for clear vision. The cornea not only shields the inner structures of the eye from dust, debris, and harmful microorganisms, but it also helps to filter out some harmful UV light from the sun.

The pupil, iris, and retina are all important components of the eye, but they serve different functions. The pupil is the adjustable opening that controls the amount of light entering the eye, while the iris, the colored part of the eye, surrounds the pupil and regulates its size. The retina, located at the back of the eye, contains photoreceptor cells that convert light into neural signals, allowing us to perceive images.