Ace the NBEO Ocular Anatomy 2026: Master the Post Seg & Cranial Nerves with Confidence!

The key idea is recognizing where the macula sits in relation to the optic nerve head. The macula is on the temporal (lateral) side of the optic disc, not above, below, or to the nasal side. In practical terms, the center of the macula lies several millimeters—about 2 to 3 mm, roughly two disc diameters—temporally from the center of the optic disc. This temporal offset is why, when you inspect the fundus, you locate the optic nerve head first and then move toward the temple to find the macula and, in its center, the fovea responsible for sharp central vision.