The retina is an essential part of the eye that enables vision. It's a thin layer of tissue that covers approximately 65 percent of the back of the eye, near the optic nerve. Its job is to receive light from the lens, convert it to neural signals and transmit them to the brain for visual recognition.

How does the retina work in the eye?

When light hits the retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye), special cells called photoreceptors turn the light into electrical signals. These electrical signals travel from the retina through the optic nerve to the brain. Then the brain turns the signals into the images you see.

What is the retina and why is it so important?

Your retina cannot send proper signals to the brain and your vision will become blurry. This can lead to blindness quickly if left untreated. Diabetic retinopathy is another common condition, but usually only occurs in those who have diabetes.