Retinal Cells

The retina contains photoreceptor cells, called rods and cones, whose job is to react to light and convert it into electrical signals to send to the brain. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer is essential for maintaining the health of the light sensitive photoreceptors.The RPE cells are lost in Macular Degeneration, causing death of photoreceptors and a loss of central vision and therefore, blindness. Current treatment of Macular Degeneration looks to use stem cells to replace the retinal cells that die in the hopes of halting further blindness and slow the progression of the disease.