What type of eye consists of thousands of individual lenses?

A compound eye consists of thousands of individual lenses, which allows for a wide field of vision and the ability to detect motion effectively. This type of eye is prevalent in many arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans. Each lens, or ommatidium, captures a portion of the visual field, and together they provide a mosaic view of the environment. This design is particularly advantageous for detecting movement and light changes, which is essential for survival in their habitats.

The other options represent types of eyes that have different structures and functionalities. A simple eye, composed of a single lens, is less complex and typically provides less sensitivity and resolution than a compound eye. An evolutionary eye is not a recognized classification in biology, and a retinal eye usually refers to eyes like those found in vertebrates, which also rely on a single lens and have a different visual processing system.