retinal

¹

[ret-n-uhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to the retina of the eye.

retinal

²

Also ret·i·nene

[ret-n-al, -awl]

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an orange pigment, C 2 0 H 2 8 O, that is the active component of rhodopsin and is liberated upon the absorption of light in the vision cycle; vitamin A aldehyde.

Word History and Origins

Origin of retinal¹

First recorded in 1830–40; retin(a) + -al ¹

Origin of retinal²

First recorded in 1940–45; retin(a) + -al ³

Example Sentences

In a study published in Cell Stem Cell, scientists tested retinal pigment epithelial stem cells in a phase 1/2a clinical trial.

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The drugmaker said the Food and Drug Administration had approved Eylea HD for the treatment of patients with macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, a common cause of vision impairment in adults.

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Their approach focuses on reinforcing the natural defense systems of retinal cells by applying controlled heat, according to Professor Ari Koskelainen.

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Published in Science Advances on October 24, 2025, the study suggests that simple retinal scans could eventually serve as a non-invasive tool to evaluate both cardiovascular health and biological aging.

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It is implanted in the subretinal layer, under the retinal cells that have died.

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