Which layer of the retina primarily houses the superficial capillary network of the central retinal artery?

• A. RNFL
• B. Outer nuclear layer
• C. Ganglion cell layer
• D. Photoreceptor layer

Answer: (A)

The superficial capillary network supplied by the central retinal artery resides primarily in the retinal nerve fiber layer. This inner-layer network lies just internal to the internal limiting membrane and nourishes the fibers of the ganglion cells as they converge into the optic nerve. The outer retina—including the outer nuclear layer and the photoreceptor layer—receives its blood supply mainly from the choroid, not this superficial retinal plexus. The deeper retinal capillary networks are located around the inner nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer, not in the RNFL. So the layer that primarily houses the superficial capillary network is the retinal nerve fiber layer.