Final answer:
Eye medications can be administered directly over the cornea, a practice based on the cornea's unique properties and importance in refracting light for clear vision. The cornea's compatibility with direct application of medications and contact lenses highlights its role in ocular health and vision correction.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, eye medications can indeed be given directly over the cornea. The cornea's ability to be finely controlled in its shape is crucial in procedures aimed at restoring normal distant vision, which is successful in over 90% of patients. The fact that the cornea can tolerate direct application of medications is due to its unique characteristics and role in the eye. In addition to being the eye's outermost layer and serving a protective function, the cornea's physiological properties allow for the proper refractive adjustment of light entering the eye. Contact lenses take advantage of the cornea's properties by resting directly on it, providing superior peripheral vision and correcting certain visual impairments.
For example, contact lenses compensate for corneal astigmatism by filling in surface irregularities with the tear layer between the lens and the cornea. When the curvature of the contact lens differs from that of the cornea, the tear layer acts as a lens to adjust the focal point, ensuring clear vision. Optometrists can alter the power of contacts to compensate for these differences, thereby creating a regular optical surface over the cornea. Thus, the close relationship between eye medication administration, contact lenses, and the function of the cornea demonstrates the intricate balance necessary for maintaining clear vision.