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Snakes are often presented to the veterinarian for eye problems so knowledge of the normal anatomy of the ophidian eye is essential. The eyesight of snakes is relatively inefficient and the eye is reduced or absent in some fossorial snakes.
Snakes are often presented to the veterinarian for eye problems so knowledge of the normal anatomy of the ophidian eye is essential. The eyesight of snakes is relatively inefficient and the eye is reduced or absent in some fossorial snakes.
[[Image:round_yellow_rat_snake_pupil.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Round pupil - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved.]]
[[Image:slit_palm_pit_viper_pupil.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Slit pupil - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved.]]
*'''Spectacle''' - The embryologically-fused eyelids (hence no palpebral fissure) form a transparent covering of the eye called the spectacle (also known as the brille or eyecap). Between the spectacle and the cornea are tear-like secretions. The spectacle is shed during normal ecdysis but may be pathologically retained (for example if mites are present, with low humidity or if the eye is diseased).
*'''Spectacle''' - The embryologically-fused eyelids (hence no palpebral fissure) form a transparent covering of the eye called the spectacle (also known as the brille or eyecap). Between the spectacle and the cornea are tear-like secretions. The spectacle is shed during normal ecdysis but may be pathologically retained (for example if mites are present, with low humidity or if the eye is diseased).
*'''Tears''' - All reptiles produce tears. In snakes, tears produce a region of lubrication between the cornea and the spectacle, allowing the free movement of the eye. Paired nasolacrimal ducts drain the sub-spectacular spaces into the mouth near the vomeronasal organ. Tears cannot overflow the eyelids, as in mammals, so if a nasolacrimal duct is damaged there is a build-up of tears under the spectacle, which leads to a bullous spectaculopathy.
*'''Tears''' - All reptiles produce tears. In snakes, tears produce a region of lubrication between the cornea and the spectacle, allowing the free movement of the eye. Paired nasolacrimal ducts drain the sub-spectacular spaces into the mouth near the vomeronasal organ. Tears cannot overflow the eyelids, as in mammals, so if a nasolacrimal duct is damaged there is a build-up of tears under the spectacle, which leads to a bullous spectaculopathy.