Methods are disclosed for treating and/or preventing retinal degeneration is a subject. In some embodiments, the method includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) to treat the retinal degeneration in the subject. In other embodiments, the SERM is administered orally. In some examples, the SERM is tamoxifen, afimoxifene, raloxifene, bazedoxifene, arzoxifene, desmethylarzoxifene, or a salt or derivative thereof, or combinations thereof.