What is "optic cup"

n. (embryology) a two-walled cuplike depression that develops into the pigmented and sensory layers of the retina [syn: eyecup]

During embryonic development of the eye, the outer wall of the bulb of the optic vesicles becomes thickened and invaginated, and the bulb is thus converted into a cup, the optic cup (or ophthalmic cup), consisting of two strata of cells. These two strata are continuous with each other at the cup margin, which ultimately overlaps the front of the lens and reaches as far forward as the future aperture of the pupil.

The optic cup is part of the diencephalon and gives rise to the retina of the eye.

Optic cup may refer to:

• Optic cup (anatomical), the white cup-like area in the center of the optic disc
• Optic cup (embryology), a structure in embroyos that gives rise to the retina of the eye

The optic cup is the white, cup-like area in the center of the optic disc.

The ratio of the size of the optic cup to the optic disc (or cup-to-disc ratio) is measured to diagnose glaucoma. A normal cup to disc ratio is 0.3; a larger ratio may suggest glaucoma.