The Retinal Pigment Epithelium

This book provides a contemporary resource on one of the major players in retinal diseases – the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE). Throughout the book, the physiological and the pathological function of the RPE are covered on equal terms, to help readers to understand the RPE as a whole. Moreover, the development of RPE in diagnostics and therapy are covered, as well as some practical knowledge about RPE experimental models. Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Health and Disease highlights new findings of RPE research and includes the state-of-the-art knowledge of each RPE topic presented. This important feature sets this book apart from other publications, with the chapters following a design which leads from the general to the specific, to give a precise collection of the facts known. The chapters are written by well-known experts that are currently active in the field as consultants, basic scientists, and group leaders, providing expert guidance on the current aspects and future outlooks of this topic.

This volume of Documenta Ophthalmologica Proceedings Series collects the scientific papers presented at the 2nd International Symposium on Retinal Pigment Epithelium and the 4th Meeting of the European Macula Group held in Genoa, May 29-June 1, 1996. The Symposium on Retinal Pigment Epithelium was promoted by the University Eye Clinic of Genoa as the natural continuation of the first Symposium held with great success in Genoa in 1988. The previous Meetings of the European Macula Group were held in Coimbra (1988), Crete (1989) and Athens (1994). I was greatly pleased and honoured to host the fourth congress of this distinguished Society and I am grateful to Gabriel Coscas, Jose Cunha-Vaz and George Theodossiadis, found ers of the Society, for selecting Genoa on this occasion. The two meetings integrated well in an unicuum and brought together an exceptional number of outstanding retinal specialists coming from all over the world. All the aspects of the current research concerning retinal pigment epithelial and macular diseases were covered. Several interesting presentations regarded new techniques of retinal and choroidal imaging. A full session was dedicated to the latest advances in culture and transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial cells. Age-related macular degeneration was a major subject for discussion, including new approaches to treatment. This topic was high lighted by a mini-symposium on drusen, including a series of superb lectures on classification, clinicopathological studies, indocyanine green imaging, and laser treatment for prevention of choroidal neovascularization.

The retinal pigment epithelium is a critical tissue within the eye. It lies directly behind the retina, where it provides metabolic support to the photoreceptors and controls their local environment. As a result, the RPE is vital to retinal function, but also a site of aging and disease that cause dysfunction and visual loss. This book brings together comprehensive reviews of basic and clinical science concerning the RPE. It is organized to juxtapose chapters on RPE disease with chapters on the underlying pathophysiology. These include up-to-date accounts of growth factors, laser effects, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, Bruch's membrane pathology, as well as new diagnostic tools such as ocular coherence tomography, in vivo imaging of lipofuscin and non-photic electrical responses. Other chapters cover pharmacology and toxicology, mechanisms of retinal adhesion and detachment, RPE pigments and transport, congenital and dystrophic diseases, animal models of RPE disease, and different aspects of age-related macular degeneration. The history and evolutionary aspects of the RPE are also presented. The contributing authors are experienced clinicians and eminent basic scientists who work on this critical part of the eye. The book will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in the eye, and a necessity for specialists in the fields of retinal physiology and retinal disease.

This excellently illustrated book offers detailed guidance on the differential diagnosis and therapy of detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium (PED), a frequently seen feature in various diseases of the eye. Introductory chapters discuss the anatomy, pathophysiology, and imaging of PEDs, highlighting how especially the increasing use of spectral domain OCT enables even small PEDs to be detected and followed over time. The diverse forms of PED are then described, with explanation of how they may hint at the underlying pathology or even be pathognomonic when considered in conjunction with other clinical features. New insights are provided into the characteristics of the various forms of PED, and predictors of complications – such as rip of the PED - are discussed. It is clearly explained how knowledge of the different types of PED and their underlying diseases can assist in creating an appropriate individualized follow-up and therapy scheme for each patient.

This book will contain the proceedings of the XIV International Symposium on Retinal Degeneration (RD2010), held July 13-17, 2010, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. The volume will present representative state-of-the-art research in almost all areas of retinal degenerations, ranging from cytopathologic, physiologic, diagnostic and clinical aspects; animal models; mechanisms of cell death; candidate genes, cloning, mapping and other aspects of molecular genetics; and developing potential therapeutic measures such as gene therapy and neuroprotective agents for potential pharmaceutical therapy.

This book meets the growing demand among ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists, in training and in practice, as well as visual neuroscientists, to have a clear, succinct and well-written textbook to objectively cover the subject of ocular and visual physiology. Ocular and visual physiology is a core knowledge component for these disciplines, and yet is often difficult to understand. However, this book clearly conveys the simple elegance of the relationship between structure and function that is the hallmark of understanding the physiology of the eye and visual system. Ocular and Visual Physiology – Clinical Application is essential reading for any one hoping to have a clear understanding of the subject. Students will find it a great resource to pass their exams. Each of the chapters has been independently reviewed and edited by an expert in the field with a clinical or visual scientific academic background. The text is based on the latest publications in peer-reviewed journals that are closely referenced within the body of the text.

This book provides a contemporary resource on one of the major players in retinal diseases - the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE). Throughout the book, the physiological and the pathological function of the RPE are covered on equal terms, to help readers to understand the RPE as a whole. Moreover, the development of RPE in diagnostics and therapy are covered, as well as some practical knowledge about RPE experimental models. Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Health and Disease highlights new findings of RPE research and includes the state-of-the-art knowledge of each RPE topic presented. This important feature sets this book apart from other publications, with the chapters following a design which leads from the general to the specific, to give a precise collection of the facts known. The chapters are written by well-known experts that are currently active in the field as consultants, basic scientists, and group leaders, providing expert guidance on the current aspects and future outlooks of this topic.