New cells discovered in the eye could help restore vision

Scientists have identified never-before-seen cells in the human eye that could potentially help reverse vision loss caused by common diseases such as macular degeneration.

- WORDS EMILY COOKE

Researchers discovered the cells in the retina, a light-sensitive structure at the back of the eye that is vital for vision. The cells were found in donated samples of fetal tissue. They also identified the same cells in lab-grown models of the human retina, and when they tried transplanting those models into mice with a common eye disorder, it restored the rodents' vision. “This research not only deepens our understanding of retinal biology, but also holds immense potential for advancing therapeutic interventions in RD [retinal degeneration] diseases,” the researchers wrote.