What structure carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain?

The optic nerve is the structure responsible for carrying neural impulses from the eye to the brain. It is crucial in the process of vision, as it transmits the visual information that is processed by the retina, where the light-sensitive cells (rods and cones) convert light into electrical signals. These signals are then sent through the optic nerve to the visual cortex in the brain, allowing us to perceive and interpret what we see.

The fovea, while important for sharp central vision due to its high concentration of cones, does not transmit neural impulses; instead, it is a specific area within the retina. Rods and cones are the photoreceptors in the retina that capture light and initiate the conversion of that light into neural signals, but they do not carry these signals to the brain. Instead, they are integral parts of the process that occurs before the signals reach the optic nerve.