I had to refresh my knowledge - you are correct. The retina is at the back of the eyeball where the image (upside down iirc!) is projected.
I recall other false claims being tripped up by other similar errors. Of course, there can also be error in some stupid reporter relaying the information from an expert.
Surely none of the cited experts or the uses of their instruments have any kind of bias whatsoever, and that they have considered and eliminated all other possibilities that might affect their conclusions.