Topic > The human eye: how does the eye see? - 1021

The retina is the sensor of the eye. The purpose of the retina is to receive focused light from the lens, convert the light into nerve signals, and then send these signals to the brain (“Retina”). The retina processes light through light-sensitive cells called rods and cones that convert the signals into colors for the brain. Sticks, in which there are many of the same type, are used for low light (night vision) and do not perceive color. Cones, however, have three different types corresponding to red, green and blue. The different frequencies of light activate the appropriate colored cell or cells to interpret an infinite number of colors. The photoreceptors converge on the optic nerve. Images are actually perceived by the brain, not seen by the eyes. It can be compared to a camera as the image is seen with a film or memory card (Richards, 2014). Also, the image is reflected upside down, but the brain reverses it to face upwards. This can also be compared to the function of the camera. Vision is often taken for granted and often overlooked for its wonderful complexities. The brain processes the information given to it very quickly with immense synchrony. MIT graduate student Bhavin R. Sheth shares a beautiful illustration. "Mr. Sheth likens vision to an orchestra, where groups of cells in different parts of the brain cooperate to process different processes