Optic disc definition

The optic disc, sometimes called the optic nerve head, is a round section at the back of the eye. It is where the retina and optic nerve connect. The optic disc is also where the retina’s main artery and vein enter the eye.

Optic disc anatomy

There is a layer of tissue at the back of each eye, opposite to the pupil, called the retina. This tissue is responsible for taking the light that enters the eye and turning it into the images you see. 

There are two main areas in the retina: the macula and the peripheral retina. The macula, which is located in the center of the eye, is responsible for seeing images directly in front of you. The peripheral retina, which makes up the rest of the retina, is responsible for peripheral vision.

The retina contains cells called photoreceptors, which can also be broken into two categories: rods and cones. Rods are responsible for detecting the size, shape, brightness and movement of objects. Cones are responsible for processing color and fine detail. Rods help you see at night or when the light is dim. Cones help you see better when the light is brighter. 

The optic disc is a round, slightly raised area at the border of the macula and the peripheral retina, and it can be yellow-orange or pink. It is the only spot on the retina that has no rods or cones, making it a “blind spot.” 

There is a small indentation at the center of the optic disc, called the physiologic cup. This is where the optic nerve, made up of over a million nerve fibers, connects to the retina.