The retina is the thin, light-sensitive inner layer at the back of the eye. Its photoreceptors turn light into electrical signals, which are processed by bipolar, horizontal and amacrine cells before reaching the ganglion cells, whose axons form the optic nerve. It extends forward to the ora serrata.
| Location | Inner coat of the back of the eyeball, from the optic disc to the ora serrata |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Optic nerve (CN II), formed by ganglion cell axons |
| Blood Supply | Central retinal artery (inner retina); Choriocapillaris via short posterior ciliary arteries (outer retina) |
Detects light, begins processing the visual image and sends it to the brain through the optic nerve.
The retina is the only place where the body's blood vessels and nerve tissue can be viewed directly, so fundus examination reveals diabetes, hypertension and raised intracranial pressure. Sudden floaters, flashes or a curtain over vision suggest retinal tear or detachment and need urgent review. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults.
Separation of the neural retina from the retinal pigment epithelium, usually after a retinal tear. It causes a shadow or curtain over vision and needs urgent surgery.
Damage to retinal small vessels from long-term high blood sugar, causing haemorrhages, leakage, macular oedema and new fragile vessels.
Sudden painless severe vision loss from blocked arterial supply, often from an embolus. It is a form of stroke and needs urgent vascular work-up.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
