Medical research
Retina UK has invested more than £16million into cutting-edge research since the charity was founded in 1976.
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PDE6A gene therapy trial report: the importance of scientific learnings in an unsuccessful trial
Researchers from the University Hospital Tübingen in Germany recently announced that there were no signs of visual gains in an early-phase clinical trial of a PDE6A gene therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).
e-Newsletter June 2023
Our monthly e-Newsletter featuring the latest updates from Retina UK. Subscribe now to receive these updates directly to your email.
Webinar: “Mini-Retina” – the future of restored vision
Mini-retinas are essentially mini eyeballs in a dish. They contain all of the cell types in the human retina and we can perform many experiments on these to figure out the missing pieces in the puzzle.
Rose Earnshaw: An inspirational 8-year-old’s epic challenge
In August 2025, 8-year-old Rose Earnshaw is taking on a challenge like no other – completing 5 laps of her local village park (1 mile) every day throughout the month of August, in support of Retina UK’s vital work.
e-Newsletter – February 2023
Our monthly e-Newsletter featuring the latest updates from Retina UK. Subscribe now to receive these updates directly to your email.
Completed Research Project Outcomes
The following projects were being funded by Retina UK and have recently come to an end.
Genetics and gene therapy
When we talk about gene therapy we are usually referring to use of a harmless virus, called a vector, to deliver a normal copy of a defective gene into the cells of the eye.
The UK Inherited Retinal Dystrophy Consortium
In 2014 we funded an exciting new collaborative project. The UK Inherited Retinal Dystrophy Consortium (UKIRDC) Project brought together the four largest research groups in the UK specialising in inherited retinal diseases (IRDs).
Experimental therapy by Retina UK-funded researchers leads to ‘life changing improvements’
Researchers who received funding from Retina UK have carried out experimental gene therapy that is reported to have led to ‘life changing improvements’ to sight for four children with inherited sight loss.