Which term describes the region in the retina with no photoreceptors at the point where the optic nerve exits?

• A. Blind spot
• B. Macula
• C. Optic disc
• D. Fovea

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the optic nerve exits the retina at a specific site that has no light-detecting cells. This spot is the optic disc, the anatomical location where all the ganglion cell axons bundle to form the optic nerve. Because there are no photoreceptors there, that area cannot detect light, which is why our visual field has a blind spot at that exact location. The macula and the fovea are different retinal regions that do contain photoreceptors and are responsible for sharp central vision. So the term describing the region where the optic nerve exits the retina and photoreceptors are absent is the optic disc. The functional consequence of this spot is commonly called the blind spot in vision, but the precise retinal region is the optic disc.