The retina contains photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) that detect light and convert it into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted to the brain for processing. The structure responsible for carrying these signals from the retina to the brain is the optic nerve. The optic nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers that exits the eye at the optic disc and connects to the visual cortex in the brain, enabling the perception of vision.
Other options can be ruled out as follows:
Final Answer: The correct answer is \( \mathbf{\text{optic nerves}} \), which corresponds to option \( \mathbf{(3)} \).