A recent study in KCNJ13-KO hiPSC-RPE cells lacking Kir7.1 channel revealed the loss of phagocytic activity as well as the reduced expression of phagocytosis-related genes, which could be a possible cause of retinal degeneration as seen in LCA16 patients [188]. Here, KCNJ13 is linked to Leber congenital amaurosis 16.