The fovea centralis is the region of the eye that provides the optimal location for forming detailed images.
- The eyes continuously rotate in their sockets to focus objects of interest as precisely as possible onto the fovea centralis.
- These rapid movements, called saccades, position objects of interest on the fovea, allowing for detailed inspection of the environment.
- Although the entire surface of the retina contains nerve cells, the fovea is the small region (about 0.25 mm in diameter) at the centre of the macula which has the highest concentration of cones, making it ideal for capturing fine detail.
- While cones are concentrated in the fovea for detecting fine detail and colour, rods, which are more sensitive to light but not colour, are spread throughout the rest of the retina and are essential for peripheral and low-light vision.