Vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal degeneration diseases is due to the loss of the light sensitive photoreceptor cells in the eye. This is often secondary to dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
The photoreceptor and RPE cells are arranged in a characteristic mosaic. The mosaic is an accurate clue to how healthy these layers are. However, attempts to visualize these mosaics have been so far unsuccessful, despite technological advancements in conventional ophthalmic imaging.
Dr. Ju will develop a novel clinical ophthalmic imaging system to visualize and quantify the changes of the structure and function of photoreceptor and RPE cells in humans. The results of this research will provide a clearer understanding of the pathological processes of AMD, which will help clinicians establish more reliable clinical treatment options.