The research led by RMIT University is focused on retinal diseases, especially age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD damages the retina, specifically the macula, which can cause blindness and affects hundreds of millions of people globally.

Key risk factors for AMD are age, family history, diet, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and other lifestyle choices.

In the modern era, we have exposure to excessive high energy blue light from devices such as mobile phones, computer screens and televisions, which may also contribute to eye damage over time.