Retina


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Retina


The retina is a thin nerve membrane that detects light entering the eye. Nerve cells in the retina send signals of what the eye sees along the optic nerve to the brain.

The retina lines the back two-thirds of the eye and is made up of two layers: the sensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).

The macula, near the center of the retina at the back of the eyeball, provides the sharp, detailed, central vision a person uses for focusing on what is directly in the line of sight. The rest of the retina provides side (peripheral) vision, which lets a person see shapes but not fine details.

Credits


Author Jeannette Curtis
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD

- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD

- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD

- Family Medicine
Last Updated May 25, 2007

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Last updated: May 25, 2007
Author: Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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