Retina

Retina: the inner light-sensitive layer of the eyeball

The retina (Retina) is the inner light-sensitive membrane of the eyeball, which plays an important role in the visual process. It consists of several layers of cells, each of which performs a specific function.

The outermost layer of the retina is the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is adjacent to the choroid. This layer contains a special pigment that absorbs some of the light rays entering the eye and protects the retina from excess light energy.

Under the pigment epithelium are photoreceptor cells - rods and cones. They are peripheral processes of cells that respond to light and convert it into nerve impulses. The number of cones in the retina reaches 6-7 million, and the number of rods is 10-20 times more. Rods perceive faint light, while color vision is related to the functioning of cones.

The processes of photoreceptor cells contact with associative neurons, which, in turn, form synapses with large optic ganglion neurons. The axons of these cells form the optic nerve, which transmits information from the retina to the brain.

A large number of cones are located in a depression in the retina called the macula. This is the site of best vision, where the largest number of cones and the fewest rods are located.

The retina plays an important role in the visual process by converting light signals into nerve impulses, which are then transmitted to the brain for further processing. Various diseases of the retina can lead to impaired visual function, and therefore its study and understanding of its work are important areas in medical research.

Retina (Retina) is the inner light-sensitive membrane of the eyeball. The outer layer of the retina (retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)) adjacent to the choroid of the eye contains a special pigment that absorbs some of the light rays entering the eye. Adjacent to the pigment epithelium is a layer of rods and cones, which are the peripheral processes of photoreceptor cells (see figure). The number of cones in the retina reaches 6-7 million, the number of rods is 10-20 times more. (Rods perceive weak light, color vision is associated with the functioning of cones - ed.) The processes of photoreceptor cells contact with associative neurons, which, in turn, form synapses with large optic ganglion neurons, whose axons form the optic nerve (ed.). A large number of cones are located in a depression in the retina called the macula (this is the place of best vision). - Retinal.