Augen

Augen is the German plural for eye and refers to the pair of organs used for vision in humans and many animals. The singular form is Auge. In everyday German, Augen describes the paired sensory organs that enable sight.

Anatomically, the eye is structured in layers and segments. The outer coat includes the sclera (the white of the eye) and the transparent cornea at the front. The middle layer, or uvea, contains the iris, ciliary body, and choroid and regulates light entry and focus. The inner layer is the retina, which houses photoreceptor cells. The eye also contains the lens, aqueous and vitreous humors, and a network of nerves. The optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain, where the visual cortex processes it. The fovea, a small central area of the retina, provides the highest visual acuity.

Functionally, light is admitted through the cornea and pupil, is focused by the lens, and forms an image on the retina. Rods contribute to vision in low light and motion perception, while cones enable color vision and fine detail. Signals from the retina travel via the optic nerve and are interpreted by the brain to produce what we recognize as sight, including depth and motion perception.

Protection and health are supported by blinking, eyelids, eyelashes, and the tear film produced by lacrimal glands. Common refractive conditions include myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism; age-related issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are important causes of vision loss. Regular eye examinations and protective measures help maintain Augen health.

In German, Augen functions as the plural noun for eye and appears across medical, scientific, and everyday language.