Special Thanx to Ann Linet Paul(2007-2011)optometry batch Alsalama College Of Optometry,Perinthalmanna)

1. SCLERA
Optom Askar.PK

2. ANATOMY
 Posterior five-sixth part of the eye
ball
 Outer surface:
Posterior: Tenon’s capsule
Anterior :bulbar conjunctiva
 Inner surface : choroid-
suprachoroidal space

4. Thicknessof sclera
 Varies in different individuals & with
age
 Thinner in child than adult, female
than male
 Thickest posteriorly-1mm, gradually
become thinner in anteriorly
 Thinnest at insertion of EOM-0.3mm
 Equator: 0.4mm-0.6mm
 Adjacent to the limbus: 0.8mm

5. Special regions of the sclera
1. Scleral sulcus
2. Scleral spur
3. Lamina cribrosa

6. 1. Sclera sulcus:-
 Indentation of the inner surface of
the anterior most point of the sclera
near the limbus

7.  Scleral spur
 Shape: wedge shaped
 Corneoscleral part of trabecular meshwork
extends from scleral spur to schwalbe’s line
 Meridional fibres of the ciliary muscle are
attached to the scleral spur

8.  It is a sieve- like sclera from witch the
fibers of the optic nerve pass.
3.Laminacribrosa

9. Scleral aperture
 Three set of apertures:
1. Posterior apertures
2. Middle apertures
3. Anterior apertures

10. 1.Posterior apertures:
 Around the optic nerve, trasmit
long &short ciliary nerves & vessels

11. 2.Middle aperture:
 4-7mm posterior to the equator
 Transmits the superior temporal
vein

12. 3.Anterior aperture:
 3-4mm away from limbus
 Transmits anterior ciliary vessels

13. Microscopic structures
 Three layers
1. Episcleral tissue
2. Sclera proper
3. Lamina fusca

14. 1.Episcleral tissue
 Dense vascularised layer of the
connective tissue
 Cover with sclera proper
 Continuous with Tinon’s capsule

15. 2.Sclera proper
 Avascular structure
 Consist of bundle of collagen fibres-
arranged crossing each other –
opaque

16. Cont………….
 Mucopolisaccharides are present in
the intercellular space of the
collagen fibres
 Advancing age: collagen fibres tend
to become sclerosed ,deposition of
lipid,becomes yellow

17. 3.Lamina fusca:
 Innermost part
 Colour : brownish due to the presence of
pigment cells