Recent advances in nonhuman primate models of macular diseases / 中华眼底病杂志

ABSTRACT

The macula is a critical anatomical structure for primates to acquire high-resolution spatial and color vision, with macula lesions posing a significant threat to patients' visual function and quality of life. Non-human primate (NHP) are the only mammals with a macular structure that is closest to that of humans, thus offering substantial value in the study of macular diseases. Currently, various methods, including spontaneous occurrence, gene editing, drug-induced, light-induced, and mechanical injury, can be employed to screen and establish NHP models for investigating conditions such as oculocutaneous albinism, achromatopsia, retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, and certain rare ocular syndromes. When constructing NHP models, due consideration should be given to other animal models to facilitate complementary research across different model systems. Additionally, leveraging the advantages of NHP and establishing genetically controlled NHP strains is a goal to strive for to achieve sustainable utilization of these resources in research.