Photorezeptorenschichten

Photorezeptorenschichten refer to the layers within the retina of the eye that contain photoreceptor cells. These cells, rods and cones, are responsible for converting light into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as vision. The photoreceptor layer is situated between the external limiting membrane and the outer nuclear layer of the retina. Rods are highly sensitive to dim light and are crucial for scotopic (night) vision, enabling us to see in low-light conditions. They are more numerous than cones and are primarily found in the peripheral retina. Cones, on the other hand, are less sensitive to light but are responsible for color vision and sharp detail, functioning best in bright light conditions (photopic vision). There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different wavelengths of light (red, green, and blue). The arrangement and density of rods and cones vary across the retina, with the fovea, a small depression in the central retina, containing a high concentration of cones for maximal visual acuity. When light strikes the photoreceptor cells, it triggers a series of biochemical reactions that lead to a change in their electrical potential. This signal is then passed on to other neurons in the retina, eventually reaching the optic nerve and being transmitted to the brain for processing. The integrity and function of these photorezeptorenschichten are essential for all aspects of vision.