What is the main function of the retina?

The primary function of the retina is to receive and process visual information. It does this by containing photoreceptor cells, specifically rods and cones, which convert light into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve, where they are interpreted as visual images. This function is pivotal for vision, as the retina enables the detection of light and color and plays a key role in the formation of visual perceptions.

While other options describe aspects related to the eye and vision, they do not encompass the central function of the retina itself. The transmission of visual information to the brain is an important subsequent step, but it is the retina's role in receiving and processing this information that is fundamental to how vision works. Thus, understanding that the retina serves as the initial processor of visual input is crucial for grasping its primary function in the visual system.