Retina structure

Retina is developed from the two walls of the optic cup, namely: (a) nervous retina from the inner wall, and (b) pigment epithelium from the outer wall
.
 
(a) Nervous retina. The inner wall of the optic cup is a single-layered epithelium. It divides into several
layers of cells which differentiate into the following three layers (as also occurs in neural tube):

• Matrix cell layer. Cells of this layer form the rods and cones.
• Mantle layer. Cells of this layer form the bipolar cells, ganglion cells, other neurons of retina and the supporting tissue.
• Marginal layer. This layer forms the ganglion cells, axons of which form the nerve fibre layer.

(b) Outer pigment epithelial layer. Cells of the outer
wall of the optic cup become pigmented. Its posterior
part forms the pigmented epithelium of retina and the
anterior part continues forward in ciliary body and
iris as their anterior pigmented epithelium.