The optic nerve is a crucial part of the visual system, responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina in the eye to the brain. It is made up of millions of nerve fibers that carry signals generated by light-sensitive cells in the retina. These signals are then processed by the brain to create the images we see.
Each eye has its own optic nerve, and they meet at a point called the optic chiasm, where some nerve fibers cross over to the opposite side. This crossing allows the brain to combine visual information from both eyes, helping to create depth perception and a unified field of vision.