Researchers from the Kellogg Eye Centre at the University of Michigan have conducted significant research on the use of a novel peptide to reduce the level of photoreceptor cell death associated with retinal detachment. The mode of cell death in retinal detachment is similar to many other types of retinal degeneration in which cells die by a process known as “apoptosis”. As such, the findings from the research have the potential to extend photoreceptor cell survival not only in cases of retinal detachment but additionally in cases involving photoreceptor cell loss including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP).