Rod Cell

A photoreceptor cell responsible for black and white, night and peripheral (side) vision.

A rod cell is a rod-shaped photoreceptor cell that is located throughout the retina but is more common outside of the central macular region of the retina (i.e., is found in the periphery of the retina). The rod cell is particularly important for black and white, night and peripheral (side) vision. In many forms of RP, rod cell loss leads to what is sometimes referred to as "tunnel vision."