what is the retina
The retina lines the inside of your eye and is responsible for sensing light so that you can see. It is essentially the film in the camera that is your eye. It is part of the central nervous system and directly connected to the brain via the optic nerve. The retina is a transparent structure, less than half a millimeter thick and composed of 9 layers. It contains special photoreceptors called rods and cones which allow us to see in color and at night. A tenth layer, the retinal pigment epithelium, separates the retina from the underlying choroid which is an important blood supply for the retina. Most of your fine vision comes from the macula which is at the center of the retina. The eye is filled with vitreous humour, a gel which sits in front of and is adherent to the retina. Many retinal problems occur due to abnormal interactions at the interface between the vitreous and retina.
Unfortunately, the retina is susceptible to many diseases. Without a functioning retina, we cannot see.