Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic disease that causes central vision loss and affects one's ability to read, drive, and recognize faces. There are currently no treatments for “dry” AMD, which includes ~80% of AMD patients in Minnesota. Dry AMD is associated with death of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that is largely due to a loss in mitochondrial function.The overall goal of this research is to develop a therapy for patients with dry AMD by identifying drugs that will enhance mitochondrial function, thereby preserving the RPE.