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Macula lutea

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Macula
Fovea
Yellow spot

When an eye is looking directly at an object, light rays from that object are focused on the macula lutea. This is a yellow oval spot ("lutea" is Latin for "yellow") at the center of the retina (back of the eye). The yellow color comes from the high concentration of lutein. It is the part of the retina that is responsible for sharp, detailed central vision (also called visual acuity). The macula lutea, also called fovea, contains a very high concentration of cones. These are the light-sensitive cells in the retina that give detailed central vision.

Review Date: 11/8/2023

Reviewed By

Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

References

Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 391.

Schubert HD. Structure of the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 6.1.

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company; 2021. www.tabers.com/tabersonline. Accessed November 29, 2023.

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Macula - Illustration Thumbnail

Macula

The macula is the yellow oval spot at the center of the retina (back of the eye) that contains blood vessels and nerve fibers.

Illustration

 
 
Macula - Illustration Thumbnail

Macula

The macula is the yellow oval spot at the center of the retina (back of the eye) that contains blood vessels and nerve fibers.

Illustration

 
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