February 4, 2020

12 Retina Facts

As retinal specialists we’ve dedicated our lives to caring for one of the most magnificent parts of the human body. But don’t just take our word for it—check out these 12 interesting facts and see for yourself just how amazing the retina really is.

  1. The retina is a part of the central nervous system and is an outgrowth of the brain during embryonic development.
  2. What we know as sight is actually performed by the brain.The retina is a layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eyeball that triggers electric nerve impulses delivered to the brain in the creation of visual images.
  3. It is the retina’s precision that allows you to see minute details like strands of hair or a fly across the room.
  4. The retina sees everything backward and upside down. The brain reorients the image as well as combining the separate images from each eye.
  5. The retinal is made of 10 layers containing nerve cells, blood vessels and photoreceptors called rods and cones.
  6. There are roughly 120 million rods in the retina that are more sensitive to light but not color. Incredibly efficient photoreceptors, rods are responsible for night and peripheral vision.
  7. Numbering in 6 to 7 million, cones are located in the central area of the retinal called the macula. They work during bright light and are responsible for seeing color, fine detail and rapid movement.
  8. Dimmer objects are better seen through peripheral vision. Something seen in the periphery may seem to disappear when looked at directly because the center of vision is populated by less light-sensitive cones.
  9. The retina’s cones differentiate varied wavelengths in light to produce different colors.
  10. The outer layer of the retina is pigmented to prevent the back reflection of light that would decrease vision clarity.
  11. Everyone has a blind spot known as the optic disc. This is where the optic nerve passes through the retina on its way to the brain. This blind spot goes unnoticed because it is located in different places of each eye. Both eyes work together to“fill” in the blanks.
  12. Fingerprints have about 40 unique characteristics linked to each individual, but the human eye has 256 unique characteristics. Because of the complex network of blood vessels in the retina, every eye has a unique pattern—even identical twins’ retinas are different.

A healthy retinal is essential for good vision. Retinal disorders damage the vital tissues and affect vision—in some cases even causing blindness.

Island Retina provides state-of-the-art technology and cutting edge retinal treatment in a comfortable and compassionate environment. If you or a loved one suffer from retinal disease, contact Island Retina today.