What does the optic nerve connect?

The optic nerve connects the retina to the brain, making it a crucial component of the visual pathway. It carries visual information from the retinal photoreceptors, which convert light into electrical signals, to the brain where these signals are processed into images. This connection is vital for vision, as it allows the brain to interpret and understand the visual input received from the eyes. The optic nerve itself is comprised of the axons of retinal ganglion cells and serves as the main conduit for transmitting visual data, leading to the brain's visual cortex for interpretation.

The other options involve different structures of the eye and their functions. For instance, the lens and ciliary body work together to focus light, but they are not connected by the optic nerve. Similarly, the fovea and iris, as well as the pupil and lens, pertain to aspects of image formation and light regulation, rather than the transmission of signals from the retina to the brain.