What is the name of the thin layer at the front of the eye?

The thin layer at the front of the eye is called the cornea. It plays a crucial role in vision by allowing light to enter the eye and helping to focus that light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The cornea is transparent, which is essential for clear vision, and it is slightly curved to aid in the refraction of light. Its protective nature also helps shield the inner parts of the eye from dirt, germs, and other harmful particles.

In contrast, the iris is the colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil and, therefore, the amount of light that enters the eye. The pupil is the opening in the center of the iris and does not serve as a tissue layer. The retina, located at the back of the eye, is responsible for capturing light and converting it into neural signals that are sent to the brain, but it is not positioned at the front like the cornea.