Animal Models In Eye Research

The eye is a complex sensory organ, which enables visual perception of the world. Thus the eye has several tissues that do different tasks. One of the most basic aspects of eye function is the sensitivity of cells to light and its transduction though the optic nerve to the brain. Different organisms use different ways to achieve these tasks. In this sense, eye function becomes a very important evolutionary aspect as well. This book presents the different animal models that are commonly used for eye research and their uniqueness in evaluating different aspects of eye development, evolution, physiology and disease. * Presents information on the major animal models used in eye research including invertebrates and vertebrates * Provides researchers with information needed to choose between model organisms * Includes an introductory chapter on the different types of eyes, stressing possible common molecular machinery

This book describes experimental animal models that mimic common human ocular diseases: herpetic keratitis, cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, retinitis pigmentosa, Graves’ disease, and intraocular tumors. In conjunction, these models reflect the diversity and utility of tools used to study human disease. World expert clinicians discuss each model based on their clinical experience and the text is supported by numerous photos and diagrams. In describing the most pertinent animal models of ophthalmic diseases, this book will be of interest to ophthalmologists, vision researchers, fellows, residents and medical students.

The second edition of OCT and Imaging in Central Nervous System Diseases offers updated state-of-the-art advances using optical coherence tomography (OCT) regrading neuronal loss within the retina. Detailed information on the OCT imaging and interpretation is provided for the evaluation of disease progression in numerous neurodegenerative disorders and as a biological marker of neuroaxonal injury. Covering disorders like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, intracranial hypertension, Friedreich’s ataxia, schizophrenia, hereditary optic neuropathies, glaucoma, and amblyopia, readers will given insights into effects on the retina and the and optic nerve. Individual chapters are also devoted to OCT technique, new OCT technology in neuro-ophthalmology, OCT and pharmacological treatment, and the use of OCT in animal models. Similar to the first edition, this book is an excellent and richly illustrated reference for diagnosis of many retinal diseases and monitoring of surgical and medical treatment. OCT allows to study vision from of the retina to the optic tracts. Retinal axons in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) are non-myelinated until they penetrate the lamina cribrosa. Hence, the RNFL is an ideal structure for visualization of any process of neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, or regeneration. By documenting the ability of OCT to provide key information on CNS diseases, this book illustrates convincingly that the eye is indeed the “window to the brain”.

Section 1. Epidemiology and risk factors. ch. 1.1. Epidemiology of myopia and myopic shift in refraction / Barbara E.K. Klein. ch. 1.2. Environmental risk factors for myopia in children / Wilson C.J. Low, Tien-Yin Wong and Seang-Mei Saw. ch. 1.3. Gene-environment interactions in the aetiology of myopia / Ian G. Morgan and Kathryn A. Rose. ch. 1.4. The economics of myopia / Marcus C.C. Lim and Kevin D. Frick -- Section 2. Clinical studies and pathologic myopia. ch. 2.1. Quality of life and myopia / Ecosse L. Lamoureux and Hwee-Bee Wong. ch. 2.2. Ocular morbidity of pathological myopia / V. Swetha E. Jeganathan, Seang-Mei Saw and Tien-Yin Wong. ch. 2.3. Myopia and glaucoma / Shamira A. Perera and Tin Aung. ch. 2.4. The myopic retina / Shu-Yen Lee. ch. 2.5. Retinal function / Chi D. Luu and Audrey W.L. Chia -- Section 3. Genetics of myopia. ch. 3.1. New approaches in the genetics of myopia / Liang K. Goh, Ravikanth Metlapally and Terri Young. ch. 3.2. Twins studies and myopia / Maria Schäche and Paul N. Baird. ch. 3.3. TIGR, TGFB1, cMET, HGF, collagen genes, and myopia / Chiea-Chuen Khor. ch. 3.4. Statistical analysis of genome-wide association studies for myopia / Yi-Ju Li and Qiao Fan -- Section 4. Animal models and the biological basis of myopia. ch. 4.1. The relevance of studies in chicks for understanding myopia in humans / Josh Wallman and Debora L. Nickla. ch. 4.2. The mechanisms regulating scleral change in myopia / Neville A. McBrien. ch. 4.3. The mouse model of myopia / Frank Schaeffel. ch. 4.4. Gene analysis in experimental animal models of myopia / Roger W. Beuerman, Liang K. Goh and Veluchamy A. Barathi -- Section 5. Interventions for myopia. ch. 5.1. Atropine and other pharmacological approaches to prevent myopia / Louis M.G. Tong, Veluchamy A. Barathi and Roger W. Beuerman. ch. 5.2. Physical factors in myopia and potential therapies / Wallace S. Foulds and Chi D. Luu

The collection of systems represented in this volume is a unique effort to reflect the diversity and utility of models used in biomedicine. That utility is based on the consideration that observations made in particular organisms will provide insight into the workings of other, more complex systems. This volume is therefore a comprehensive and extensive collection of these important medical parallels.

Precision medicine is focused on the individual and will require the rapid and accurate identification and prioritization of causative factors of disease. To move forward and accelerate the delivery of the anticipated benefits of precision medicine, developing predictable, reproducible, and reliable animal models will be essential. In order to explore the topic of animal-based research and its relevance to precision medicine, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a 2-day workshop on October 5 and 6, 2017. The workshop was designed to focus on the development, implementation, and interpretation of model organisms to advance and accelerate the field of precision medicine. Participants examined the extent to which next-generation animal models, designed using patient data and phenotyping platforms targeted to reveal and inform disease mechanisms, will be essential to the successful implementation of precision medicine. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Scientific experiments using animals have contributed significantly to the improvement of human health. Animal experiments were crucial to the conquest of polio, for example, and they will undoubtedly be one of the keystones in AIDS research. However, some persons believe that the cost to the animals is often high. Authored by a committee of experts from various fields, this book discusses the benefits that have resulted from animal research, the scope of animal research today, the concerns of advocates of animal welfare, and the prospects for finding alternatives to animal use. The authors conclude with specific recommendations for more consistent government action.