What is the first step in the visual processing pathway?

The first step in the visual processing pathway is when light enters the eye through the cornea. The cornea plays a crucial role as the initial interface for light coming from the outside environment. When light hits the cornea, it begins to undergo refraction, which is the bending of light rays. This refraction is essential, as it helps to focus the light onto the retina, where photoreceptors convert the light into neural signals.

By focusing on the entry of light through the cornea, we understand that this action sets off the entire sequence of visual processing. Once light is correctly focused by the cornea and other components of the eye, it can then be transmitted to the retina, where phototransduction occurs. From there, the neural signals travel to the brain for interpretation. Thus, the process of vision begins with the very act of light entering the eye, emphasizing the importance of the cornea in initiating visual perception.