The part of the photoreceptor cell that is directly adjacent to RPE cells, near the back of the retina, and is responsible for the conversion of light into electrical signals, via the visual cycle.

Oxidation is the interaction between oxygen molecules and all the different substances they may contact. Oxidative Stress can occur when there's an imbalance and a biological system can't readily detoxify or easily repair the resulting damage, thereby promoting development of a retinal degenerative disease).

Nerves that are not part of the brain, spinal cord or retina, normally found in the extremities (e.g., arms, legs).

The process by which cells engulf materials (e.g., bacteria, dead cells) that are eventually killed, destroyed or digested. The outer segment tips of photoreceptor cells are phagocytosed every day by RPE cells.

Physical symptoms of a retinal degenerative disease that can be clinically defined. Each phenotype is normally associated with a particular genotype (see Genetic Testing).

A therapy for the wet form of AMD that involves using a drug and a "cold" laser to destroy new, unwanted blood vessels.

The light sensitive cells (rods and cones) in the retina.

The process of detecting light and converting it to an electrical signal that is then relayed to the brain via the optic nerve.

The first measurable evidence that an experimental theory or therapy works.

see Autosomal Recessive Disease

Thin layer of light-detecting cells at the back of the eye, similar to the film or digital sensor found in a camera.

A light-detecting computer chip, designed to mimic basic photoreceptor cell light-detection function, that is implanted into the retina.

A very thin cell layer found directly beneath the photoreceptor cells. RPE cells bring nutrients and oxygen to the photoreceptor cells, and supplies, recycles, and detoxifies products involved with the phototransduction process.

An implantable device that electrically stimulates the retina with information that it receives from a secondary light detection device (i.e., camera glasses).

Injecting a layer of cells (already composed of photoreceptor and/or RPE cells) into the retina to replace dying cells.

The vessels found on top of the retina at the back of the eye that look like "tree branches" when viewed by an ophthalmologist during an eye exam.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) refers to a group of inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration. The most common feature of all forms of RP is a gradual breakdown of rods and cones.

Retinoschisis is vision loss due to the splitting of retinal layers and retinal deterioration due to a mutation in the retinoschisin (RS1) gene.

A light-detecting component (a visual pigment) of rod photoreceptor cells composed of a protein called opsin that is chemically linked to a processed fragment of vitamin A.

A form of gene therapy that reduces the amount of "bad" gene product ("bad" RNA) to allow "good" protein to be made from good, non-mutated RNA.