Remarkable research published in the journal Nature (Vol. 472, pp51-56, April 7, 2011) has shown the self-assembly of a mouse retina from 3-dimensional cultures of embryonic stem cells. The recapitulation of the development of a retina in a laboratory dish represents a major milestone both in technical achievement and in the potential medical application. The use of embryonic stems cells in assembly of the retina emerged spontaneously in vitro suggesting the capability of self organisation which may have significant implications for regenerative biology in the eye and many other organs.