Retina

Retinal changes mirror central brain changes and can appear years or decades earlier. Post-mortem cadaver studies confirm that mild cognitive impairment and early dementia are associated with neurological inflammation alongside retinal changes. The optic nerve carries approximately 1.7 million nerve fibers from the retina to the brain. The macula's yellow color comes from carotenoid pigments concentrated there that are photosensitive and respond directly to incoming light. The retina is organized into 10 distinct layers, each with specialized functions. Rods handle vision in dim light and peripheral vision, while cones handle central detail vision in brighter light. A third category of retinal cells, beyond rods and cones, communicates light and dark information to the brain's internal clock, making the eye integral to circadian rhythm regulation. The retina is nerve tissue that functions as an extension of the central nervous system. Degeneration in the outer layer of the retina correlates with pathology in the brain. Once neurological inflammation takes hold in the nervous system, degeneration accelerates. Most people dismiss early retinal warning signs as routine vision changes…