Crossword Genius

Can actual skin be related to part of the eye? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

retinal

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'can actual skin' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'related to part of the eye?' is the wordplay.
'related' becomes 'l' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'part of the eye?' becomes 'retina' ('retina' is part of 'eye').
'l' put after 'retina' is 'RETINAL'.

'be' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for retinal that I've seen before include "Pertaining to light-sensitive part of eye" , "Like some eye problems" , "Pertaining to the part of the eye sensitive to light" , "Of the back layer of the eye" , "of area receiving light" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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