What is the role of photoreceptor cells on the retina?

You can't see without photoreceptor cells.

Photosensitive cells are the media for us to perceive the outside world, including rod cells and cone cells.

Rod cells can feel strong light, have color vision and distinguish colors, and mainly work in daytime or bright environment.

Cone cells can feel weak light, can feel light stimulation in dim environment and cause vision, and can only distinguish between light and dark without color perception.