Research on retinal pigment epithelial cells promises new future treatment for glaucoma patients
With this new perspective, they began to consider innovative ways to use specialized cells in the eye, like retinal pigment epithelial cells and ganglion cells. Today researchers continue to follow that path, knowing that each small step they take may lead to future glaucoma treatments. What Are Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Cells? Most people know at least a little about the retina. The retina is a thin tissue that's about an inch in diameter , yet it contains all the photoreceptor cells responsible for beginning vision and their circuits that produce signals that become vision. If you could look beneath the retina, you'd find a sheet of black cells called the retinal pigment epithelium, (RPE). The easiest way to describe the RPE is to say it supports the retina, but that doesn't begin describe its value. These cells help by renewing the light-absorbing pigments contained in the rod and cone photoreceptors on a daily basis. They also enhance vision by absorbing ...