Final answer:
Light is refracted by the cornea and lens, which have higher refractive indices than air, and then focused on the retina, resulting in an inverted image that the brain corrects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Light waves are primarily refracted by the cornea, the lens, and the fluids in the eye chambers before being focused upon the retina. The cornea and lens of the eye act together to form a real image on the retina, which is the light-sensing part of the eye. They do this by refracting (bending) light as it passes through the layers of tissues in the eye, including the cornea, aqueous humor, lens, and vitreous humor.
The refractive indices of the cornea, aqueous humor, and lens are higher than air, causing the rays entering the eye to bend towards the central axis. This bending directs them to meet at the focal point on the retina, thereby allowing us to see clearly. The cornea contributes approximately two-thirds of the eye's focusing power. When light travels from air into the denser cornea, its speed changes significantly, resulting in the refraction of light. The lens of the eye then adjusts to provide the finer focus necessary for a sharp image. Ultimately, the image produced on the retina is inverted, but our brain corrects this to perceive it as upright.