Why an Image Forms Upside Down in the Eye

Light rays reflecting from what we look at travel from various directions to our cornea, which is curved inward like a bowl. The light rays that hit the cornea are redirected by the curve before reaching the retina. The redirection of the light rays cause the image that forms on our retinas to appear upside down.

The Top of an Object

• While looking at an object, light rays from the top of the object go through the curved cornea, redirecting the rays to hit the bottom of the eye's retina.

Bottom of an Object

• Light rays that travel from the bottom of the same object travel through the cornea and are redirected upwards and hit the top of the retina.

The Image Flips

• Because the light information from the top of an object travels to the bottom of the retina, and the bottom to the top, the image that first forms in our eyes is upside down. Our brain converts the image right side up.