Histological Study of Falcon’s Retina Eye and Optic Nerve

Abstract

Background: The eye is one of the most important sensory systems in the body because of how important and relevant it is, and it is essential for communication between animals and their environment. The size of the optic nerve is thought to be closely correlated with activity pattern and is crucial for the transmission of messages between the retina and the brain. Objective: a falcon has high-resolution vision and could fly for long-distance and capture its prey quickly and accurately, so we need to detect nature of retina and optic nerve of a falcon. materials and methods: We gathered adult, healthy falcons (Falco columbarius) from Iraq, and using Periodic Acid-Schiff Reagent and hematoxylin and eosin stains and to prepare histological section also used ocular lens to measure thickness of retina and optic nerve. results: histological: by using H&E stain retina of falcon consist of ten layers as other birds but there are some little different in composition of these layers. optic nerve consists of ganglionic cell axons in the retina and are made up of a number of fascicles or bundles that are connected by vascular connective tissue septa; and by using PAS to detect glycogen in layers of retina , not all these layers contain glycogen just only two layers. in optic nerve have been founded glycogen in cells among fascicles of optic nerve. and have differences in diameter of both retina and optic nerve. Conclusions: retina and optic nerve are similar to another birds with some differences in its thickness and content of glycogen.