What specific role does Vitamin A play in the structure necessary for vision?

Production of light-absorbing molecules in the retina

Vitamin A is fundamentally necessary for maintaining sharp and functional vision. Its role within the visual system is highly specific and relates to the photoreceptor cells located in the retina. Vitamin A is directly required for the synthesis and maintenance of the light-absorbing molecules that are crucial for the process of sight perception. When the eye detects light, these molecules initiate the cascade of events that translate light into neural signals sent to the brain. While other compounds like lutein and zeaxanthin offer protective filtering benefits to the macula, Vitamin A's core contribution is ensuring the retina has the necessary components to actually capture and process light.