The retina, a layer of tissue at the back of the eye, is responsible for visual signal processing. Loss of this tissue due to retinal diseases can result in visual impairments and blindness. Retinal diseases affect more than 400 million people worldwide. They are a substantial socio-economic burden and profoundly impact the quality of life. 

Hence, research efforts are directed toward developing novel therapies for retinal diseases, such as gene therapy, cell transplantation, optogenetics, and retinal prosthesis. These therapeutic approaches are evaluated in diverse systems, including cell cultures, retinal organoids (retina-in-a-dish), and animal models such as rodents, fish, pigs, canines, and nonhuman primates. 

The evaluation of retinal structure employs a range of live imaging techniques, as well as tissue preparation and processing for analysis. Functional tests include electrophysiological assays, electroretinograms, and training or learning-based vision tests. Furthermore, the development, safety, and efficacy of therapies involve specific strategies tailored to the retina and the chosen model system. Given the dynamic nature of retinal therapeutics, techniques are continuously refined. 

This Methods Collection aims to provide detailed techniques for the structural and functional analysis of both healthy and diseased retina, as well as experimental protocols for therapy design and testing in the context of the retina.