Which cranial nerve carries visual information from the retina to the brain?

• A. Optic nerve (CN II)
• B. Oculomotor (CN III)
• C. Trigeminal (CN V)
• D. Vestibulocochlear (CN VIII)

Answer: (A)

Visual signals from the retina are carried by the optic nerve, the second cranial nerve. This bundle of retinal ganglion cell axons transmits sensory information from the eye toward the brain, forming the main conduit for vision. After partial crossing at the optic chiasm and continuing through the optic tract to the thalamus and then to the visual cortex, these signals are interpreted as sight. Other listed nerves have different roles: the oculomotor nerve controls most eye movements and pupil size, the trigeminal nerve handles facial sensation and chewing, and the vestibulocochlear nerve is involved in hearing and balance.