Lab-Grown Retinas Uncover Sharpness of Vision, Could Treat Vision Loss

New research using lab-grown retinal tissue reveals how the human eye develops high-definition vision, which could lead to future treatments for vision problems.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have used lab-grown clusters of retinal tissue called organoids to discover how the human eye develops the sharp, high-definition vision we use every day. They found that a derivative of vitamin A and thyroid hormones work together to 'color in' our sight during early eye development by converting blue cone cells in the foveola into red and green cone cells, which is vital for clear vision.

Why it matters

This discovery is important because the center of the retina, the foveola, is usually the first part to fail in people with age-related vision issues like macular degeneration. By better understanding this critical region of the eye and developing organoids that mimic its function, the researchers hope to one day grow and transplant these tissues to restore vision for people suffering from vision loss.

The details

The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focuses on the foveola, a tiny spot in the center of the retina that is responsible for about 50% of what we see. It's packed with red and green cone cells that handle daylight and fine detail, but lacks blue cones. The old theory was that blue cones simply moved out of the way as the eye grew, but this new data suggests the cells actually change their identity. Between weeks 10 and 14 of development, retinoic acid (from vitamin A) and thyroid hormones signal the blue cones in the center of the eye to convert into red or green ones.

  • The study was published on February 18, 2026.
  • The key developmental changes in the foveola occur between weeks 10 and 14 of eye development.

The players

Johns Hopkins University

A private research university located in Baltimore, Maryland, known for its excellence in medicine, public health, and scientific research.

Robert J. Johnston Jr.

An associate professor of biology at Johns Hopkins University and the lead author of the study on lab-grown retinal organoids.

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What they’re saying

“The main model in the field from about 30 years ago was that somehow the few blue cones you get in that region just move out of the way. We can't really rule that out yet, but our data supports a different model. These cells actually convert over time, which is really surprising.”

— Robert J. Johnston Jr., Associate Professor of Biology (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

“First, retinoic acid helps set the pattern. Then, thyroid hormone plays a role in converting the leftover cells. That's very important because if you have those blue cones in there, you don't see as well.”

— Robert J. Johnston Jr., Associate Professor of Biology (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

What’s next

The team hopes this discovery could lead to 'made-to-order' cells to replace damaged ones in the eye, but it will take more time to ensure these treatments are safe before they can be implemented.

The takeaway

This breakthrough in understanding how the human eye develops high-definition vision using lab-grown retinal tissue opens up new possibilities for treating vision loss, particularly in conditions that affect the central part of the retina like macular degeneration. By uncovering the key developmental processes involved, researchers are one step closer to potentially growing and transplanting healthy retinal tissue to restore clear sight.