The OPTIC NERVE is the continuation of the retinal nerve cells as they go toward the
brain. There are approximately 1.1 million nerve fibers in each optic nerve. Although we
refer to the optic nerve as a "nerve", it is, in fact, more like to brain
tissue.
The optic nerves leave the back of each eye and travel to the optic chiasm. This
structure, just below the pituitary gland, is where many of the optic nerve fibers cross
to the opposite side of the brain. From there, the nerve impulses pass through the optic
tracts and radiations to the occipital cortex. This is a specific area at the back of the
brain where all visual images are interpreted.