title: Optogenetics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this review, we will discuss the recent developments in optogenetics and their potential applications in ophthalmology to restore vision in retinal degenerative diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In recent years, we have seen major advances in the field of optogenetics, providing us with novel opsins for potential applications in the retina. Microbial opsins with improved light sensitivity and red-shifted action spectra allow optogenetic stimulation at light levels well below the safety threshold in the human eye. In parallel, remarkable success in the development of highly efficient viral vectors for ocular gene therapy led to new strategies of using these novel optogenetic tools for vision restoration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These recent findings show that novel optogenetic tools and viral vectors for ocular gene delivery are now available providing many opportunities to develop potential optogenetic strategies for vision restoration.
authors.affiliation: aInstitut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, UMR_S 968 bINSERM, U_968 cCNRS, UMR_7210 dCentre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, DHU ViewMaintain, INSERM-DHOS CIC 1423 eFondation Ophtalmologique Rothschild, Paris, France fInstitute of Ophthalmology-University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duebel
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marazova
authors.forename: José-Alain
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sahel
mesh_terms: D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D062308:Optogenetics / Q000379:methods*; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*