What is the optic nerve?

The optic nerve is indeed a bundle of nerve fibers that plays a critical role in vision by connecting each eye to the brain. It transmits visual information from the retina, where images are formed, to the visual processing centers in the brain, primarily the occipital lobe. This process is essential for interpreting what we see, allowing us to understand and react to our environment.

Understanding this aspect of the optic nerve highlights its importance in the visual pathway and how integral it is for the perception of images. The other options describe different structures or functions related to vision but do not pertain to the optic nerve itself. The group of muscles controlling eye movement relates to eye tracking and focus, while light absorption is a function of the retina. The outer layer of the eye refers to the sclera or cornea, which provide structure and protection but do not transmit visual information like the optic nerve does.