What it means
The iris gives the eye its color. Its muscles make the pupil, the opening in its center, smaller in bright light and bigger in dim light, to control how much light enters the eye.
For the nurse
When checking pupils, look at both irises; an iris of uneven shape can be from past surgery or injury and should be charted so it is not mistaken for a new change.
At a glance
| Spanish | iris |
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Related terms
conjunctiva
The thin, clear layer that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white of the eye.
accommodation
The eye's ability to change its focus from distant objects to near ones.
retinal
Relating to the retina, the thin layer at the back of the eye that senses light and sends images to the brain.