[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Retina [Sense organs](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/sense-organs/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Retina The retina is the thin light-sensitive layer lining the back of the eye; it turns light into nerve signals and can detach or be damaged by diabetes. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=retina&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The thin light-sensitive layer lining the back of the eye. ## What it does Turns light into nerve signals; it can detach or be damaged by diabetes. ## Key points - Light crosses the inner layers to reach the photoreceptors, which face the pigment epithelium; the signal runs photoreceptor, bipolar cell, ganglion cell, optic nerve - Retinal detachment splits the neural retina from the pigment epithelium, along the remnant of the optic vesicle cavity; the retina is firmly fixed only at the ora serrata and the optic disc - Diabetic retinopathy: microaneurysms, dot-blot haemorrhages, hard exudates and cotton-wool spots, then new vessels; a major cause of vision loss in working-age adults, found early by screening - Hypertensive retinopathy: narrowed arterioles, arteriovenous nicking, flame haemorrhages and cotton-wool spots; disc swelling marks malignant hypertension ## Key facts **Where** Inner layer of the back of the eye, from the ora serrata to the optic disc **Blood supply** Inner retina: [central retinal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/central-retinal-artery/); outer retina: choroid **Nerve** Output via the optic nerve **Function** Rods (dim light) and cones (colour, detail) turn light into signals ## Relations **In front** Ends at the ora serrata, continuing forward as the non-pigmented epithelium of the [ciliary body](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ciliary-body/) **Behind** [Optic disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/optic-disc/), where the ganglion cell axons leave as the [optic nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/optic-nerve/) **Superficial** Retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch membrane and the [choroid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/choroid/), which feeds the photoreceptors **Deep** [Vitreous body](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vitreous-body/), against its internal limiting membrane; the gel pulls on it in posterior vitreous detachment ## How to find it Seen with the ophthalmoscope through a dilated pupil: the disc, the [macula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/macula/) and the vascular arcades at the back; the far periphery needs indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression or wide-field photography. ## Examination - Dilated fundoscopy: direct for the disc and macula; indirect with scleral depression to find peripheral tears - Confrontation fields and perimetry: the defect lies opposite the damaged retina (an upper detachment gives a lower field loss) - Electroretinography: reduced rod and cone responses in inherited dystrophies such as retinitis pigmentosa ## On imaging OCT shows the layers in cross-section (fluid, oedema, holes); fluorescein angiography shows leakage, closed capillaries and new vessels; B-scan ultrasound shows a detachment when blood or a cataract blocks the view. ## Common problems - Diabetic retinopathy: damaged small vessels leak and bleed; new fragile vessels can grow. - Retinal detachment: flashes, a shower of floaters and a curtain over vision; an emergency. - Retinal vessel blockage: sudden painless vision loss. ## How it is diagnosed Dilated eye exam (looking at the fundus), retinal photos, OCT scans of the retinal layers and dye angiography. ## Treatment - Control of blood sugar and pressure, with yearly eye checks in diabetes. - Laser treatment or injections into the eye for diabetic damage. - Urgent surgery (laser, gas bubble or vitrectomy) for a detachment. ## Clinical notes - Detachment types: rhegmatogenous (a tear; more likely with myopia, age or trauma), tractional (fibrous bands in diabetic retinopathy) and exudative (fluid from inflammation or tumour) - Retinopathy of prematurity: abnormal vessel growth in preterm babies, who are screened with fundoscopy - Retinoblastoma, the main eye cancer of early childhood, often presents with a white pupil (leukocoria) or a squint - Retinitis pigmentosa: rods fail first, giving night blindness and tunnel vision, with bone-spicule pigment in the fundus - Roth spots, haemorrhages with pale centres, can accompany infective endocarditis and leukaemia ## Anatomical variants - Myelinated nerve fibres: white, feathery patches at the disc edge where axons kept their myelin in front of the lamina cribrosa; usually harmless, though they can hide other findings and enlarge the blind spot ## Development Grows out of the forebrain as the optic vesicle and cup, so it is part of the central [nervous system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/nervous-system/); the outer layer of the cup becomes the pigment epithelium and the inner layer the neural retina. ## Memory aid Cones: Colour and Centre; rods: dim light and the periphery. ## Related conditions - [Oculocutaneous albinism](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/oculocutaneous-albinism/) - [Tay–Sachs disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/tay-sachs-disease/) - [Refsum disease (adult)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/refsum-disease/) - [Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/leber-hereditary-optic-neuropathy/) - [Vitamin A deficiency (night blindness and xerophthalmia)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/vitamin-a-deficiency/) - [Diabetic retinopathy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/) - [Retinal detachment](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/retinal-detachment/) - [Age-related macular degeneration](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/age-related-macular-degeneration/) - [Type 2 diabetes mellitus](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/type-2-diabetes-mellitus/) - [Type 1 diabetes mellitus](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/type-1-diabetes-mellitus/) - [Arterial hypertension](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/arterial-hypertension/) - [Digoxin toxicity](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/digoxin-toxicity/) - [MGUS and Waldenström macroglobulinaemia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/mgus-and-waldenstrom-macroglobulinaemia/) - [Toxoplasmosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/toxoplasmosis/) - [Cytomegalovirus infection](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cytomegalovirus-infection/) - [Toxocariasis (visceral and ocular larva migrans)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/toxocariasis/) - [Central retinal artery occlusion](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/central-retinal-artery-occlusion/) - [Retinoblastoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/retinoblastoma/) - [Hypertensive retinopathy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hypertensive-retinopathy/) - [Central retinal vein occlusion](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/central-retinal-vein-occlusion/) - [Ocular toxoplasmosis (retinochoroiditis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ocular-toxoplasmosis/) - [Endophthalmitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/endophthalmitis/) - [Prematurity and its complications](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/prematurity-and-its-complications/) - [Congenital (TORCH) infections: syphilis, toxoplasmosis, CMV and Zika](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/congenital-infections-syphilis-toxoplasmosis-cmv-and-zika/) - [Child maltreatment (physical abuse, abusive head trauma, neglect)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/child-maltreatment/) - [Retinopathy of prematurity](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/retinopathy-of-prematurity/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Between which layers does the retina separate in retinal detachment, and where is it firmly fixed? Between the neural retina and the pigment epithelium; it is firmly fixed only at the ora serrata and the optic disc. ## What are the three types of retinal detachment? Rhegmatogenous (a tear), tractional (fibrous bands, as in diabetic retinopathy) and exudative (fluid from inflammation or tumour). ## What are the fundus signs of diabetic retinopathy? Microaneurysms, dot-blot haemorrhages, hard exudates and cotton-wool spots, then new vessels. ## What is the blood supply of the inner and outer retina? Inner retina: the central retinal artery; outer retina (photoreceptors): the choroid. ## What are the classic features of retinitis pigmentosa? Rods fail first: night blindness and tunnel vision, with bone-spicule pigment in the fundus. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/retina/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** retina TA2 6776 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Retina DeCS D012160 **English (TA2)** Retina ## Related - [Vitreous](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vitreous-body/) - [Choroid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/choroid/) - [Macula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/macula/) - [Optic disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/optic-disc/) - [Central retinal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/central-retinal-artery/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=12578); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Retina](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542332/); [Retinal Detachment](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551502/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/retina/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/retina/