This Daily Doodle captures the first time I saw an optic disc using an ophthalmoscope! The optic disc is located on the back of the retina and it is where the axons gather and exit the eye, forming the optic nerve. Since there are no light sensitive receptors in this area (rods or cones), the optic disc creates a small “blind spot” in our vision that our brain cleverly patches up so that we are not aware of it.

To find the optic disc, look for a “V” – the point where two blood vessels merge into one. The tip of the “V” will point in the direction of the optic disc. Keep following the blood vessels and soon you’ll get to a point where they merge together in the center of a yellowish orange disc.

Changes in colour or shape of the optic disc may be an indication of disease. For example, a pale optic disc may be caused by optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve which is sometimes seen in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.