Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsTestsWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Associated Conditions
Tests
When to See a Provider
The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the very back of the inside of the eyeball. The retina contains millions of cells that perceive light, color, and fine details in the things you see. A number of diseases can affect the retina, including cancer. If any part of the retina becomes damaged, your vision may be compromised.
You should seek emergency medical care if you experience:Partial or complete blindness in one or both eyesA curtain-like shadow in your visionDouble visionBlurred vision with eye painSudden distorted visionBlind spots or halos around lights
You should seek emergency medical care if you experience:
UHB Trust
The retina is a layer of tissue at the back of the eyeball. It is made up of nerve cells, also known as photoreceptor cells, which transmit visual information to theoptic nerve.
There are two types of photoreceptor cells:
The retina consists of two parts:
As light enters the eye through the cornea, pupil, and lens, it projects onto the retina. The nerves of the retina process this light and the associated images, then transfer their signals to the optic nerve. The optic nerve transports these signals to the brain, where the perception of the images occurs.
The many nerve cells of the retina allow you to see in low-light conditions, perceive the sharp edges of delicate images like flower petals, perceive a full range of colors, and view a wide field of vision.
Inherited Conditions
Retinal conditions may be present at birth and inherited (called inherited retinal disorders, or IRDs). These conditions include
Other Conditions
Tests for Retina Conditions
Eye doctors (optometrists and ophthalmologists) use a number of tests to examine the retina directly and indirectly. These tests include:
Some of these tests require administering dilating eye drops thatdilate(open) the pupil and make it easier to see the retina.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Reach out to your healthcare provider if you experience any type of change in your normal vision, including:
Summary
The retina is a nerve-filled tissue layer that lines the back wall of the eyeball. It is made up of photoreceptor cells, known as rods and cones, which allow you to perceive light, color, and fine details.
Conditions associated with the retina include different forms of colorblindness, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and more. While some conditions may be benign, others may be more serious. That said, you should reach out to a healthcare provider if you experience any vision changes.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Retina.MedlinePlus.Vision changes.U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Retina.American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy.Inherited retinal diseases.U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Retinoblastoma.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Retinal detachment.MedlinePlus.Retina.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Retina.MedlinePlus.Vision changes.U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Retina.American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy.Inherited retinal diseases.U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Retinoblastoma.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Retinal detachment.MedlinePlus.Retina.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Retina.MedlinePlus.Vision changes.U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Retina.American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy.Inherited retinal diseases.U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Retinoblastoma.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Retinal detachment.MedlinePlus.Retina.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Retina.
MedlinePlus.Vision changes.
U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Retina.
American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy.Inherited retinal diseases.
U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Retinoblastoma.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Retinal detachment.
MedlinePlus.Retina.
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