Question

How do you interpret the following statement: “The eye is considered by some to be an extension of the brain because of the complex structure of the retina and the huge amount of neural processing that occurs at the retinal level.” 400 words min

Answer 1

Cicero first declared “ut imago est animi voltus sic indices oculi”—the face is a picture of the mind as the eyes are its interpreter.

The eye is considered as the extension of the brain. It contains nerve tissue in the retina. The light-sensitive layer of the eye provides high-resolution imaging. It provides a resolution power of one micron. The eye is considered as a window to study the brain function and is used as an avenue to study early detection of nerve degeneration. The eye is an integral part of the CNS.

The retina has a striking similarity to the spinal cord and brain in regard to its structure, function, irritability, and immunology. In the retina, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the neurodegeneration appear to be conserved. Many ophthalmic disease share similarities with neurodegenerative disorders. Hence eye provides a better tool to study vascular abnormalities, mitochondrial abnormalities, blood-brain barrier dysfunctions, and fluid imbalance. There is a striking similarity in the symptoms of AD, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.