Precise Gene Editing Technologies in Retinal Applications

Gene therapy is emerging as a promising treatment for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). One of the first successful applications of gene therapy for IRDs was the gene replacement therapy for the RPE65 mutation. This therapy delivers a functional copy of the RPE65 gene to patients via AAV vectors, rather than targeting the mutation itself. Gene editing technologies have advanced significantly in recent years, allowing it to make precise in vivo modifications to the genetic code. After the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9, other gene editing technologies such as base editing and prime editing have been developed by modifying and combining the original CRISPR-Cas9 technology with other methods. Moreover, recently discovered CRISPR-Cas systems allow RNA editing to correct mutations at the posttranscriptional level. These technologies have potential applications in various fields, including inherited retinal diseases. This mini-review evaluates and summarizes the most current advancements in genome editing methods, including prime editing, base editing, and RNA editing, and their applications on retinal diseases.