Which structure in the eye contains receptor cells that process visual information?

The retina is a crucial component of the eye responsible for processing visual information. It contains specialized receptor cells called rods and cones. Rods are sensitive to low light levels and are essential for night vision, while cones are responsible for color perception and function best in bright light. When light enters the eye, it passes through the cornea and lens, which help focus the light onto the retina. The retina then converts the light signals into electrical impulses, which are sent to the brain via the optic nerve, allowing us to perceive images.

Understanding the roles of the other options can help clarify the unique function of the retina. The iris controls the size of the pupil and regulates the amount of light entering the eye, but it does not process visual information. The cornea and lens are involved in focusing light onto the retina but do not contain any photoreceptor cells themselves. Therefore, it is the retina that plays the essential role in receiving light and processing visual signals, making it the key structure for vision.