Glossary

Retinal Pigment epithelial (RPE) cells

Layer of cells at the back of the eye attached to the choroid. RPE cells provide nourishment to retinal cells, help absorb some light that comes into the eye, and provides other functions that support the retina.

RNA

A molecule that supports DNA in making all living things. Ribonucleic Acid, or RNA, is one of the three building blocks essential to creating life (the other two are DNA and proteins). Known as DNA-photocopy, RNA is created when a cell needs to produce a protein. RNA translates genetic code from DNA into usable proteins. RNA defects can result in a number of diseases, including heart disease, some cancers, and stroke.

Retina

The retina is a thin layer of light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. Its role in vision is crucial: specialized retinal cells called “photoreceptors” convert incoming light particles into visual signals that, once sent along the optic nerve, are interpreted by the brain as vision. Every component of the human eye is designed to optimally receive and transfer light so that the retina can do its work.

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