The macula lutea - more commonly called the macula - is the most sensitive spot in the center of the light-sensitive retina in the back of the eye. The macula is responsible for visual acuity, central vision and color vision. “The macula is the area of the retina that allows us to see 20/20,” says Maria Richman, OD, spokeswoman for the American Optometric Association. “It is the small and highly sensitive part of the retina that’s responsible for detailed central vision. The macula allows one to appreciate detail and perform tasks that require central vision, such as reading.”

The macula makes it possible to see in great detail while the rest of the retina provides peripheral (side) vision. Like many medical terms, macula lutea is Latin: Macula means “spot” and lutea means “yellow.” The macula lutea is a very small spot in the central retina it’s just 5.5 millimeters (less than a quarter-inch) in diameter. Also, when viewed or photographed by your eye doctor, the macula lutea has a yellowish appearance (in contrast to the rest of the retina, which is red). The yellow color is due to the macular pigment, which is composed mainly of lutein and zeaxanthin from your diet.

Macular pigment protects cells in the macula from the potentially harmful effects of high-energy visible (HEV) blue light from the sun and other sources, including the LED screens of computers and phones. There are two types of photoreceptor cells in the retina. These cells called cones and rods   make our sense of vision possible by converting light rays into signals that are transmitted to the brain. There is a very high concentration of cone photoreceptor cells in the macula, which are responsible for our color vision and our ability to see fine details. It’s estimated that there are 6 million to 7 million cone cells in the retina, with most of them located in the macula. The highest concentration is in the fovea (or fovea centralis), which is a central pit within the macula that contains only cone cells.

Most rod photoreceptor cells are located outside the macula. While they don't provide high-resolution or color vision, rod cells provide peripheral vision, perceive movement and shades of gray, and can function in low-light conditions. There is an estimated 120 million rod photoreceptor cells in the retina. Consequently, the macula is responsible for enabling the sharp visual detail that's so important for activities like driving, recognizing faces, watching TV, using a computer and engaging in all other visual tasks that require an ability to see details.

Optometry: Open Access Journal deals with eyes and related structures which includes such as vision, processing information related to vision. Optometrists are health professionals provide care related to vision. They give a clear idea related to diagnosis, treatment and management of vision. Optometry journal deals with medications, vision tests and abnormalities of eye.

Manuscripts can be submitted online at https://www.scholarscentral.org/submissions/optometry-open-access.html  or send an email attachment tooptometry@emedsci.com

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Hannah
Journal Co-ordinator
Optometry: Open Access
ISSN: 2476-2075
omoa@emedicalsci.org