Foundations of Ocular Anatomy and Physiology

Ocular anatomy and physiology provides the foundation for all vision care. Sound understanding supports diagnosis, treatment, and patient communication across optometric and ophthalmic practice. This foundational course provides that base. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the anatomy of the major ocular structures, explain how they function together to produce vision, recognize the principles of visual pathway processing, and identify how anatomy relates to common clinical considerations. What you will learn: - The anatomy of the eyeball including cornea, lens, vitreous, retina, and uveal tract - The anatomy and function of the extraocular muscles and orbit - The physiology of accommodation and refraction - The structure and function of the retina including photoreceptors and neural processing - The visual pathway from retina to occipital cortex - The physiology of intraocular pressure and aqueous dynamics - The integration of anatomy and physiology in clinical reasoning The course uses readings, anatomy summaries, illustrated case examples, and reflection questions. Each module ends with applied exercises that connect anatomy to clinical reasoning. This course is written for optometry students, ophthalmology residents, vision care trainees, and educators developing teaching material. By the end you will have a structured foundation in ocular anatomy and physiology that supports clinical reasoning across vision care.