Macular Degeneration Association (MDA)  is pleased to announce funding for two research projects for fiscal year 2026–2027, supporting scientific investigations aimed at advancing our understanding of retinal aging, macular degeneration, and the potential for vision restoration.

Together, these projects address important questions about how the retina changes with age and disease, and what may be needed to preserve or recover visual function.

A Mechanical Maintenance Factor for the Aging Retina: NMIIC as a Target for AMD Prevention

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with progressive changes in the retina, including deterioration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a specialized layer of cells essential for maintaining retinal health.

In a healthy, younger retina, RPE cells form an orderly, honeycomb-like layer. With aging and AMD, this organization can break down, as cells enlarge, become irregular in shape, and lose their organized connections.

This project investigates NMIIC as a potential target for understanding and addressing the cellular changes associated with retinal aging. By exploring the mechanisms that help maintain the organization of the RPE, the research may contribute to a better understanding of retinal health and inform future approaches to AMD prevention.

The Contribution of Plasticity to the Recovery of Retinal Function After Cone Restoration

Emerging therapies designed to restore photoreceptor function offer new possibilities for addressing vision loss caused by macular degeneration. However, restoring photoreceptors may not be enough on its own to recover vision. The surviving retinal circuits must also be able to respond to and process the restored visual input.

This project examines the role of retinal plasticity—the ability of neural circuits to adapt and change—in recovery following cone restoration. By investigating how the remaining retinal circuitry responds when cone input is restored, the research aims to improve understanding of the factors that may influence the recovery of visual function.

Investing in the Future of Retinal Research

These two projects explore complementary aspects of retinal health: the mechanisms that maintain the structure of the aging retina and the capacity of retinal circuits to support functional recovery.

Through its FY 2026–2027 research funding, MDA supports scientific inquiry that deepens our understanding of retinal disease and investigates new possibilities for preventing vision loss and restoring visual function.

Stay tuned for updates on the progress of these exciting research projects as MDA continues to support advances in retinal research and the pursuit of new possibilities for preventing vision loss and restoring vision.