Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The optic disc is the point in the back of the eye where the optic nerve connects to the retina, lacking light-sensitive photoreceptors, thus creating a blind spot. It's essential for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain.
Related terms
Optic Nerve: A bundle of more than a million nerve fibers carrying visual messages from the retina to the brain for interpretation.
The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that converts light into electrical signals sent through the optic nerve.
Blind Spot: An area on the retina where no photoreceptors are present due to the location of the optic disc, resulting in a lack of vision detection at this point