What color are the retinal nerve fiber layers in the human eye?

What color are the retinal nerve fiber layers in the human eye?

• A. Clear
• B. White
• C. Red
• D. Gray

Answer: (A)

The retinal nerve fiber layer is not pigmented; it is made up of unmyelinated axons and supporting cells, so it is essentially transparent in the living eye. In color fundus terms you wouldn’t describe it as white, red, or gray—the tissue itself has no inherent color, hence it’s best described as clear. On OCT, you’ll see it as a bright, highly reflective band due to its microstructure, but that reflectivity doesn’t contradict its color being clear.

The retinal nerve fiber layer is not pigmented; it is made up of unmyelinated axons and supporting cells, so it is essentially transparent in the living eye. In color fundus terms you wouldn’t describe it as white, red, or gray—the tissue itself has no inherent color, hence it’s best described as clear. On OCT, you’ll see it as a bright, highly reflective band due to its microstructure, but that reflectivity doesn’t contradict its color being clear.