The Retina | What is the Retina and What is its Function?

What is the Retina and What is its Function? The retina, is a layer of tissue, at the back of the eyeball, acting like the film of a camera for the eye. It contains cells, that are sensitive to light, called photoreceptors. The human eye, consists of two types of photoreceptor cells, called rods, and cones. Rod photoreceptors, are located throughout the retina, and are used to detect motion, provide black-and-white vision, and night vision. Cones, are responsible for central, and color vision. They are concentrated within the macula, a small area located at the center of the retina. At the center of the macula, there is a depression called the fovea, which only contains cone photoreceptors. This area of the retina, is responsible for color vision, and maximum visual acuity. These photoreceptors within the retina, convert these light stimuli, into electrical nerve impulses, and sends them to the optic nerve. Some retinal problems may include: Macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and detached retina, just to name a few. Doctor's can detect many of these problems before any symptoms are experienced, and offer a treatment as soon as possible.