Chr-Based Optogenetic Approaches for Vision Restoration

The loss of photoreceptor cells in individuals with retinal degenerative diseases leads to blindness. Currently, there is no effective treatment to restore vision to the blind. Optogenetics is a promising strategy for restoring vision through the ectopic expression of genetically encoded light sensors, particularly channelrhodopsins (ChRs), in surviving inner retinal neurons to impart light sensitivity to the retina. Since our first demonstration of the feasibility of this strategy by expressing ChR2 in retinal ganglion cells in blind mice, optogenetic vision restoration has been reported by using a variety of optogenetic tools and different retinal cell targeting strategies. Optogenetic therapy for treating blindness caused by RP is currently in clinical trials. In this talk, I will briefly review the current state of the field and discuss our recent and ongoing studies for developing better ChR tools and effective treatment strategies for vision restoration.