Online maps of the eye

An online archive of more than 770 retinal topography maps covering 160 species has been launched by the Optometrists Association Australia.

Created by Professor Shaun Collin from the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Queensland and launched in the industry journal Clinical and Experimental Optometry, the database is the first to bring together previously published retinal topography maps from around the globe.

Collin said the database was a step forward in the evolutionary and ecological study of the visual system of a large range of vertebrates.

"The distribution and density of retinal neurons is a powerful means of defining the way that a species interacts and over time adapts its physiology with the surrounding environment," Collin said.

"The examination of retinal topography can give researchers an insight into the environmental conditions of a particular species, such as the levels of available light, the complexity of the natural environment, the spatial resolving power of the eye and therefore the size and mobility of potential prey, and ways in which the eye scans for predators.

"Bringing together these previously published maps into a single and searchable database will allow neuroscientists, visual ecologists and students from around the globe to access these maps for their own study and discussion."

The online database is the result of nearly three years of research and compilation by Collin and his team.

Sourced from libraries and universities around the globe, and Collin's own collection, each of the maps in the database shows a whole mounted retina with orientation axes, a scale and the density of cells.

Many of the maps depict the distribution of a range of retinal neurons such as the photoreceptors, horizontal cells, amacrine cells, bipolar cells and ganglion cells. Where available, a database of associated information is also listed for each species.

Collin has also invited the publication of new maps in the database.

"Our aim is to continue to maintain this database as a comprehensive source of retinal topography maps and therefore the visual capabilities of a diverse range of vertebrates. "Both published and unpublished retinal topography maps can be submitted online to the database by the publisher or copyright holder," said Professor Collin.

The Database of Retinal Topography Maps is on the association website.

Source: Optometrists Association Australia