The cornea is primarily responsible for what function?

The cornea plays a critical role in regulating light entry into the eye. It is the transparent, dome-shaped front surface of the eye that allows light to pass through while also bending (refracting) that light to help focus it onto the retina. This initial bending of light is vital for proper vision, as it directs light towards the lens, which further fine-tunes the focus of the image.

While the cornea does contribute to focusing images as well, its primary responsibility is to regulate how much light enters the eye and to provide the first layer of filtering and focusing. Other structures within the eye, such as the lens, also play significant roles in image focus, while the protection and color aspects are managed largely by other parts of the eye. Thus, understanding the cornea's primary function emphasizes its vital role in controlling light entry and initiating the process of vision.