A quick catch-up on the retina…

18 Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.
Isaiah 6:9 (paraphrased) You are ever hearing, but never understanding; you are ever seeing, but never perceiving.

I was reminded by one of my readers that I had not finished our study on the eye. Although each part of the eye is important, it is the retina that does the actual “seeing.”

Even though the eye is small, only about 1 inch in diameter, it serves a very important function – the sense of sight. The eye is one of the most complex organisms in the human body. It is made up of many distinct parts working in unison together and in order for the eye to work at its best, all parts must work well collectively.*

I always thought of the retina as a small spot on the back of the eyeball. Come to find out, it’s the “Light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. It contains millions of photoreceptors (rods and cones) that convert light rays into electrical impulses that are relayed to the brain via the optic nerve.”*

The retina processes light through a layer of photoreceptor cells. These are essentially light-sensitive cells, responsible for detecting qualities such as color and light-intensity. The retina processes the information gathered by the photoreceptor cells and sends this information to the brain via the optic nerve. Basically, the retina processes a picture from the focused light, and the brain is left to decide what the picture is.**

The sheer complexity of the retina/optic nerve/brain interaction goes way beyond anything that Evolution can produce–given that it has some kind of agenda. Actually, evolution can’t have an agenda, unless we want to count the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that without outside energy, everything reverts to its most basic form. It’s the law of Entropy. The eye would not keep trying until it hit upon the right combination; it would be reabsorbed into the primordial soup. Not only that, but there is not body to support it (same problem). It takes a lot more faith to believe in macro-evolution than it does a Master Designer.

Let’s thank the Lord for His creativity and complexity.

Abba, I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. All I have to do is “look” at my eyes. Granted, I don’t see as well as my eyes were designed, but I know I will in the body You have prepared for me in Your kingdom. I can hardly wait (and not just for perfect eyesight)! In the meantime, may I serve You with all I am. Give me Your eyes to see opportunities of ministry in Your name and in Your power. Amen.

*AssociatedRetinaConsultants.com

**Retina Function, Healthline.com