optic cup
Quick Summary
The optic cup is a crucial structure in the embryological development of the eye. It forms when the optic vesicle, an outgrowth of the brain, invaginates, creating a double-walled cup.12
The inner layer of the optic cup develops into the sensory retina, while the outer layer becomes the pigment coat of the retina. The opening of the optic cup eventually constricts to form the pupil, with its edges differentiating into the iris. The lens and cornea develop from the overlying epidermis, induced by the optic vesicle. Surrounding tissues form the sclera, the protective outer layer of the eye. This intricate process results in the complex structure of the vertebrate eye.1
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