[14] The Retina and Central Visual Pathways Flashcards
What are the important layers of the retina?
- Choroid
- Pigemented layer
- Neural layer
What cells are contained within the neural layer of the retina?
- Photoreceptor cells
- Bipolar cells
- Horizontal cells
What does the pigemented layer of the retina contain?
Melanin
What are the functions of the pigemented layer of the retina?
- Reduces refraction of light
- Acts as an anchor for photoreceptor cells
Why is it important that the pigmented layer of the retina reduces the refraction of light?
Prevents the light from being too bright
What are the types of photoreceptor cells?
- Rod cells
- Cone cells
What are rod cells good for?
- Black and white
- Low levels of light
What are cone cells good for?
- Colour vision
- Higher acuity vision
What is the function of horizontal cells?
They are inhibitory cells that are employed so you don’t get too many conflicting messages from photoreceptors
Which part of the retina is responsible for central vision?
The macula lutea
What is found within the macula?
The fovea centralis
What is significant about the fovea centralis?
It has the highest concentration of cone cells, and therefore allows you to see details when looking straight ahead
How can the retina be visualised?
Fundoscopy
What can fundoscopies be useful to visualise?
- Retinopathies
- Vascular occlusions
- Macula
- Optic disc
What retinopathy can be caused by vascular occlusions?
Amaurosis fungax
What is amaurosis fugax?
A usually transient condition characterised by a ‘curtain coming down’ over vision
What optic disc pathology can be seen on fundoscopy?
Swelling of the optic disc, called papilloedema
What is papillodema a sign of?
Raised ICP
Other than fundoscopy, what investigations can be done on the eye?
Optical coherence tomography
Which fibres of the optic nerve run ipsilaterally?
The temporal fibres