- The fovea centralis is a small depression in the retina responsible for sharp central vision, which is essential for activities like reading and recognizing faces.
- This region contains only cone photoreceptor cells, which are specialized for detecting color and functioning in bright light conditions.
- Unlike rods, cones provide high visual acuity and are densely packed in the fovea, allowing for detailed and precise vision.

- Rods, on the other hand, are found mostly in the peripheral retina and are more sensitive to dim light, but they do not contribute to the high-resolution color vision seen at the fovea.

- Ganglion cells are not photoreceptors; they receive visual information from rods and cones and transmit it to the brain via the optic nerve.

Therefore, the predominance of cones only in the fovea centralis explains why this area is critical for tasks requiring detailed and color vision.

Reference: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 13th Edition, Chapter 46: The Visual System, Page 522