What is the function of the cornea in the eye?

The cornea plays a crucial role in the eye by allowing light to pass through to the lens, which is essential for vision. It acts as the eye's primary light refractor, bending and focusing light as it enters the eye. This function is vital for clear vision, as the cornea helps to direct light onto the retina, where visual images are formed.

While the cornea does provide some degree of protection for the internal components of the eye and does cover parts of the eye like the iris and pupil, its primary role in the process of vision is to facilitate light entry. This is why the correct response centers on the cornea's role in letting light reach the lens, rather than emphasizing its protective capabilities or its involvement in adjusting focus, which are not its primary functions.