Restoring vision at the fovea

Publication date: December 2019Source: Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Volume 30Author(s): Juliette E McGregorIn humans high quality, high acuity visual experience is mediated by the fovea, a tiny, specialized patch of retina containing the locus of fixation. Despite this, vision restoration strategies are typically developed in animal models without a fovea. While electrical prostheses have been approved by regulators, as yet they have failed to restore high quality, high acuity vision in patients. Approaches under pre-clinical development include regenerative cell therapies, optogenetics and chemical photosensitizers. All retinal vision restoration therapies require reactivation of inner retina that has lost photoreceptor input and that the restored signals can be interpreted at a behavioural level. A greater emphasis on tackling these challenges at the fovea may accelerate progress toward high quality vision restoration.
Source: Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research