The key difference between yellow spot and blind spot is that yellow spot is sensitive to light since it has photoreceptor cones, while a blind spot is insensitive to light since it lacks light-detecting photoreceptor cells.
Eyes provide us with vision. It is the sensory organ that detects light. The eye retina (the sensory layer of the eye) has light-detecting photoreceptor cells which are known as rods and cones. A yellow spot is an area on the retina which has xanthophylls. It also has cones. Hence, it is sensitive to light and can form an image. On the other hand, the blind spot is a spot from which optic nerves and blood vessels leave the eyeball. It lacks photoreceptor cells: rods and cones. Hence, it is light insensitive and cannot form an image.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Yellow Spot
3. What is a Blind Spot
4. Similarities Between Yellow Spot and Blind Spot
5. Side by Side Comparison – Yellow Spot vs Blind Spot in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is a Yellow Spot?
A yellow spot or macula is an area on the retina which lies exactly opposite to the cornea. Therefore, it satiates at the center of the retina, a little lateral to the blind spot. It is light sensitive and can form an image. The yellow spot has xanthophylls. Hence, it appears in a yellow colour. It also has compactly packed photoreceptor cells, cones giving it a high resolution. Moreover, the yellow spot is responsible for our central vision and colour vision.
Figure 01: Yellow Spot
Yellow spot can also absorb excess blue and UV light that enter our eye. Therefore, it works as a natural sunblock to protect the retinal area. Moreover, the yellow spot has a shallow depression called the fovea. This depression provides the greatest visual acuity. Furthermore, it has an eye coat, unlike a blind spot.
What is a Blind Spot?
A blind spot is a natural spot found on the retina of our eye. It is also known as the scotoma. Each eye has a blind spot. It is the size of a pinhead. All vertebrates have a blind spot in their eyes. Optic nerves and blood vessels leave the eyeball from this point. Photoreceptors such as rods and cones are absent in the blind spot. Hence, the blind spot cannot detect the light and is insensitive to light. As a result, it cannot form an image. Moreover, the blind spot lacks depression. In addition, the eye coat is absent in the blind spot.
Figure 02: Blind Spot
Besides, the blind spot is a natural occurrence. However, it can be linked to several problems such as migraines, glaucoma, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and HIV/AIDS-related eye problems, etc. Hence, if there are problems associated with the vision, such as blank or dark spots in your field of vision, and you notice a blind spot when doing everyday activities and flashing lights with your blind spot, etc., it is necessary to consult an eye specialist.
What are the Similarities Between Yellow Spot and Blind Spot?
- Yellow spot and blind spot are two areas found on the retina of our eye.
- They are oval-shaped.
- Both are important parts of the eye.
What is the Difference Between Yellow Spot and Blind Spot?
The yellow spot is a yellow coloured, oval-shaped and light-sensitive area present at the center of the retina, which is responsible for high acuity vision. The blind spot is an oval-shaped light insensitive spot from which optic nerves and blood vessels leave the eyeball. So, this is the key difference between yellow spot and blind spot. Also, the yellow spot has a depression, while the blind spot lacks a depression. Thus, this is another significant difference between yellow spot and blind spot. Moreover, the yellow spot contains photoreceptor cells, while the blind spot lacks photoreceptor cells.
The below infographic lists more differences between yellow spot and blind spot in tabular form.
Summary – Yellow Spot vs Blind Spot
A yellow spot is a pigmented area found on the center of the retina, which is sensitive to light. It is responsible for high acuity vision. Therefore, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60. Meanwhile, a blind spot is a spot on the retina which is insensitive to light. It allows optic nerves and blood vessels to leave the eyeball. Both yellow spot and blind spot are natural spots which are important parts of our eye. They are oval-shaped. Thus, this summarizes the difference between yellow spot and blind spot.
Reference:
1. “How to Find the Blind Spot in Your Eye.” WebMD, WebMD, 11 July 2020, Available here.
2. Troy Bedinghaus, OD. “Learn about the Anatomy of the Macula of the Eye.” Verywell Health, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
By BruceBlaus. When using this image in external sources it can be cited as:Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “A normal visual field (left eye)” By Community Eye Health (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr