plural retinas also retinae
ˈre-tə-ˌnē 
-ˌnī
: the sensory membrane that lines the eye, is composed of several layers including one containing the rods and cones, and functions as the immediate instrument of vision by receiving the image formed by the lens and converting it into chemical and nervous signals which reach the brain by way of the optic nerve see eye illustration
Examples of retina in a Sentence
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Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop underneath the retina and macula.
—
Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024
What Solar Eclipse Glasses Do Solar eclipse glasses protect your eyes by blocking the short wavelength bluish visible light that can damage your retina.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Located at the back of the retina, photoreceptors convert light into signals that are sent to the brain.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024
The surgery, called a pars plana vitrectomy with air tamponade, is commonly performed to fix retina tears or detachments by replacing part of the vitreous fluid inside the eye with air, thereby allowing the eye to maintain its shape in your skull after a portion has been removed.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2025
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Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024
What Solar Eclipse Glasses Do Solar eclipse glasses protect your eyes by blocking the short wavelength bluish visible light that can damage your retina.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Located at the back of the retina, photoreceptors convert light into signals that are sent to the brain.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024
The surgery, called a pars plana vitrectomy with air tamponade, is commonly performed to fix retina tears or detachments by replacing part of the vitreous fluid inside the eye with air, thereby allowing the eye to maintain its shape in your skull after a portion has been removed.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Retina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retina. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retina
noun
ret·i·na
ˈret-ᵊn-ə
ˈret-nə
plural retinas also retinae
-ᵊn-ˌē
-ˌī
: the light-sensitive inner layer lining the back of the eye that contains the rods and cones and converts the images formed by the lens into signals which reach the brain by way of the optic nerve
retinal
adjective
-ᵊn-əl
-nəl
Medical Definition
retina
1 of 2 noun
ret·i·na
ˈret-ᵊn-ə, ˈret-nə
plural retinas also retinae
-ᵊn-ˌē
: the sensory membrane that lines most of the large posterior chamber of the vertebrate eye, is composed of several layers including one containing the rods and cones, and functions as the immediate instrument of vision by receiving the image formed by the lens and converting it into chemical and nervous signals which reach the brain by way of the optic nerve
Retin-A
2 of 2 trademark
Ret·in-A
ˌret-ᵊn-ˈā
—used for a preparation of tretinoin
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