Dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) is characterized by progressive retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction and photoreceptor degeneration, making it a key focus for ocular drug development.

 

However, preclinical dry AMD models—particularly retinal degeneration mouse models—face translational challenges, including incomplete replication of chronic disease progression and human macular anatomy.

 

Established systems such as sodium iodate–induced models reproduce oxidative stress–driven RPE loss and photoreceptor damage, and when combined with multi-modal imaging and cross-species validation, can generate predictive data for ocular pharmacology and successful clinical translation.

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