The sclera is a tough white membrane that cover the outside of the eyeball, we commonly call this ‘white of the eye’.

The structure of sclera is as follows.

• ◼︎ Thickness: Approximately 0.3〜1.0mm, it is the thickest at the back of the eyeball ( where the optic nerve penetrates the eyeball ) and becomes thinner towards the front.
• ◼︎ Composition: It is composed mainly of collagen and elastic fibers, and it is very strong.

• ◼︎ Thickness: Approximately 0.3〜1.0mm, it is the thickest at the back of the eyeball ( where the optic nerve penetrates the eyeball ) and becomes thinner towards the front.
• ◼︎ Composition: It is composed mainly of collagen and elastic fibers, and it is very strong.

The main functions of sclera are as follows.

• ◼︎ Maintain eyes shape: There is pressure(intraocular pressure) inside the eye, and the sclera can withstand this pressure to keep the spherical shape.
• ◼︎ Protective function: protect the inside of the eye(retina, lens, etc.) from the external impacts and foreign objects.
• ◼︎ Prevent the light entering: Because of the few vessels and less likely to transmit the light, to prevent the unnecessary light from entering into the eye from parts other than the pupil.

• ◼︎ Maintain eyes shape: There is pressure(intraocular pressure) inside the eye, and the sclera can withstand this pressure to keep the spherical shape.
• ◼︎ Protective function: protect the inside of the eye(retina, lens, etc.) from the external impacts and foreign objects.
• ◼︎ Prevent the light entering: Because of the few vessels and less likely to transmit the light, to prevent the unnecessary light from entering into the eye from parts other than the pupil.

The sclera is a very strong tissue, but if it’s damaged by the inflammation, trauma, immune disorder, metabolic disorders, etc., several characteristic diseases may occur.
Here are the some of the common disease.

• ◼︎ scleritis
• ◼︎ Episcleritis
• ◼︎ Blue sclera

• ◼︎ scleritis
• ◼︎ Episcleritis
• ◼︎ Blue sclera

The sclera is like a ‘shield’ which protects the eye from the outside.