The yellow spot is located in the center of the retina and is only about three to five millimeters in size. It gets its name from a yellow pigment that is particularly concentrated at this spot - it is also called the macula.

In its center lies the retinal pit - the point of sharpest vision. Here the light receptors are closer together than in any other part of the retina. The yellow pigment (lutein) that is stored here protects the retina from metabolic damage. If you look at an object, the eye automatically turns so that it can be imaged exactly in the yellow spot.