A group of scientists have discovered that specialised cells in the vertebrate eye are living optical fibres that transmit light through the retina. The fibres are “ingeniously designed light collectors”. At one end they are funnel-shaped, channelling light through a narrow fibre, which transmits it directly to photoreceptor cells.

This design means that over 95% of the light reaching the retina surface is transmitted to the photoreceptors, but at the same time, over 80% of the volume of the retina itself can be filled with the nerves and blood vessels needed to keep the eye functioning.

The fibre-optic cells are far more than just light transmitters, though. They perform a host of “housekeeping” functions in the retina, and may contribute to information processing.

The new findings shed new light on the sophistication and economy of design in the inverted retina of vertebrates

Further information:

Original paper in PNAS http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0611180104v1

Seminar by corresponding author http://www.inb.u-bordeaux2.fr/siteneuro2/pages/archiindex/archisemin/archSemin05_06/Reichenbach.php