From Troy Bedinghaus, O.D.,
Your Guide to Vision.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Definition: The light-sensitive layer of tissue located in the back of the eye. The retina receives images formed by the lens and transmits them through the optic nerve to the brain.

Much like film in a camera, images come through the eye's lens and are focused on the retina. The retina then converts these images to electric signals and sends them to the brain.