What is the center of the retina called?

The center of the retina is called the fovea. This small, central pit is densely packed with photoreceptor cells, particularly cones, which are responsible for high-resolution vision and the perception of color. The fovea plays a crucial role in tasks that require sharp visual acuity, such as reading or recognizing faces, because it provides the clearest image due to its high concentration of these light-sensitive cells.

In contrast, the cornea is the transparent front surface of the eye that helps focus light onto the retina but is not part of the retina itself. The iris is the colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil and thus regulates the amount of light entering the eye. The lens is responsible for focusing light onto the retina, adjusting its shape to accommodate different distances but is not located at the center of the retina. Therefore, when discussing the specific part of the retina that is essential for detailed vision, the fovea is the correct answer.