What does the term refraction refer to in the context of vision?

In the context of vision, refraction specifically refers to the bending of light rays as they pass through different media, such as from air into the eye through the cornea and lens. This bending is crucial for focusing light onto the retina, which is essential for clear vision. The cornea and lens work together to change the direction of the incoming light rays, ensuring that they converge correctly on the retina, enabling the formation of clear images.

Understanding refraction is essential for diagnosing and managing various vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, where the light is not properly focused on the retina due to the shape of the eye or the lens. This concept is foundational in optometry and ophthalmology, emphasizing the importance of the physical principles of light in the function of the visual system.