Retina

Looks like

A paper-thin light-sensitive film lining the back of the eye, with a yellow spot for sharp vision.

What it does

Turns light into nerve signals — the film in the camera.

Keeping it well

Eye checks, blood sugar and pressure control; flashes, a shower of floaters or a curtain across vision is an emergency.

Its parts

• Macula
• Fovea centralis
• Optic disc
• Rods & cones

Related conditions

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Blepharitis & styes
• Cataract
• Colour blindness
• Conjunctivitis
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Eye melanoma (uveal melanoma)
• Glaucoma
• Hyperthyroidism & Graves' disease
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• Jet lag
• Keratitis (corneal infection and ulcer)
• Keratoconus
• Onchocerciasis (river blindness)
• Presbyopia
• Retinal artery occlusion (eye stroke)
• Retinal detachment
• Retinal vein occlusion
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Retinoblastoma
• Retinopathy of prematurity
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Short and long sight (refractive error)
• Sjögren's disease
• Squint & lazy eye
• Toxoplasmosis & CMV
• Uveitis & iritis