Figure 1. Comparison between rod and cone inner segment size, density, and ratio in the area centralis versus the inferior periphery. Six eyes from 3 animals were examined. On retinal flatmounts stained with peanut agglutinin (PNA; green) we identified a clear visual streak superior to the optic nerve, with a temporal area centralis. A representative retinal flatmount is shown in A illustrating a clear visual streak superior to the optic nerve head (ONH). Orientation is depicted: nasal (N), temporal (T), superior (S), and inferior (I), and representative magnified images from the highlighted areas of the retina are shown. The area centralis contained a higher density of smaller rods and cones than the inferior periphery. B shows representative differential interference contrast (DIC) images of flatmounts from the area centralis and the inferior periphery. PNA was used as a positive marker of the cone inner segment (green). Six areas per retina were examined (3 area centralis, 3 inferior periphery) and average calculations for the rod and cone inner segment cross sectional area and number were made. C shows that the inner segment area of both cones and rods was significantly smaller in the area centralis (cone: p=0.0028, rod: p=0.0034). The density of both rods and cones was significantly higher in the area centralis than in the periphery (D, cone: p<0.0001, rod: p<0.0005). Note the difference in scale of each y-axis. E shows the ratio between rods and cones in the areas of the retina; the ratio was significantly lower in the area centralis (p<0.0001). Using an unpaired t test, significant values are marked with asterisks **** p<0.0001, *** p<0.001, ** p<0.01. In all graphs, the inferior periphery bars are marked in red.