Optic tract

The structure that is commonly called the optic n. (CN II) is actually a nerve tract that grows out from the brain during development (the eye stalks).  In common usage, even amongst neuroscientists, the part of the optic tract anterior to the chiasm (between the chiasm and the eyeball) is called the optic nerve, and the part of the optic tract posterior to the chiasm (between the chiasm and the brain) is called the optic tract.  In factboth parts of that structure (both anterior and posterior to the chiasm) is optic tract.

Most typical (but erroneous) usage of the terms optic nerve and optic tract.  

The optic tract is composed of the axons of ganglion cells.  The cell bodies of ganglion cells are in the retina, and their dendrites synapse with the axons of bipolar cells, a type of interneuron, which are also in the retina.  The bipolar cells synapse with the photoreceptor cells, the rods and cones.