Optogenetics is defined as the combination of genetic and optical methods to induce or inhibit well-defined events in isolated cells, tissues, or animals. While optogenetics within ophthalmology has been primarily applied towards treating inherited retinal disease, there are a myriad of other applications that hold great promise for a variety of eye diseases including cellular regeneration, modulation of mitochondria and metabolism, regulation of intraocular pressure, and pain control. Supported by primary data from the authors’ work with in vitro and in vivo applications, we introduce a novel approach to metabolic regulation, Opsins to Restore Cellular ATP (ORCA). We review the fundamental constructs for ophthalmic optogenetics, present current therapeutic approaches and clinical trials, and discuss the future of subcellular and signaling pathway applications for neuroprotection and vision restoration.

光遗传学被定义为遗传和光学方法的结合，以诱导或抑制分离细胞、组织或动物中明确的事件。虽然眼科中的光遗传学主要应用于治疗遗传性视网膜疾病，但还有许多其他应用为各种眼部疾病带来了巨大的希望，包括细胞再生、线粒体和代谢的调节、眼内压的调节和疼痛控制。在作者体外和体内应用的主要数据的支持下，我们引入了一种新的代谢调节方法，即恢复细胞 ATP 的视蛋白 (ORCA)。我们回顾了眼科光遗传学的基本结构，介绍了当前的治疗方法和临床试验，并讨论了亚细胞和信号通路在神经保护和视力恢复方面的应用的未来。