The Vitreous

The vitreous body long has been the most mysterious of all ocular structures, owing perhaps to its seeming simplicity. There have been few concerted, sustained efforts to unravel the mysteries of how the vitreous is composed and what role it plays in normal physiology. Over the years, however, many studies have produced independent findings concerning vitreous biochemistry, structure, and physiology. The Vitreous organizes these findings into a well-constructed compendium that not only addresses the most current scientific knowledge, but also reviews historical perspec tives in a manner that lends richness to the scope of the book. The first few chapters present an exhaustive, yet readable, review of the body of scientific data that have come from laboratories and researchers throughout the world. Extensive bibliographies direct interested readers further into specific aspects of the basic science of the vitreous. Chapter II: "Embryology" and Chapter IV: "Structure" present a novel organizational approach to assembling and presenting data in an integrated manner. Chapter V: "Functions" and Chapter VI: "Development and Aging" introduce fresh perspectives on the importance of the vitreous as some thing more than a vestigial space filler within the eye.

The present book is devoted to problems of a physically important state of condensed matter - the vitreous state. We tried to summarize here the experimental evidence and the different theoretical approaches - structural, thermodynamic and those of statistical physics - connected with the formation, the kinetic stability and with the general nature of glasses as a particular physical state. In addition, a summary is given on the information available concerning proces ses of nucleation and crystallization of glass-forming systems, on methods of preventing or, in contrast, catalyzing crystallization in vitrifying liquids, on the kinetics of nucleation, the modes of crystal growth in undercooled melts and the devitrification of glasses. It was our aim to summarize in the present volume the basic principles and the most significant developments of a newly emerging science - glass science - and to show that, at least, in principle, any substance can exist in the vitreous state. Moreover, we have tried to demonstrate that the characteristic properties of the vitreous state may be attributed under certain conditions not only to systems with an amorphous structure (like the common glasses) but also to a number of other states of condensed matter including the crystalline one.

This book provides an up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of the properties of glasses as materials and of the vitreous state in general. The broad coverage of the book includes a study of the methods of studying the structure, glass classification, and electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties of glasses.

Ophthalmic researchers and clinicians alike increasingly are recognizing the importance of the vitreous body in the physiology, biochemistry, and pathology of the inner eye. The Vitreous and Vitreoretinal Interface, with contributions by vitreoretinal surgeons and laboratory eye researchers, presents the most up-to-date clinically relevant data. This book provides evidence of the vitreous body's significant role in preserving retinal homeostasis, as well as the close connection between vitreous traction and such conditions as retinal inflammation, retinal vascular occlusions, macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and giant retinal tears. The particular vitreal changes that occur in aphakia, myopia, retinitis pigmentosa, and idiopathic giant retinal breaks, as well as recent advances in open-sky vitreous surgery and in the search for useful vitreous substitutes are discussed.

Written by a pioneering leader in the development of vitreoretinal surgical techniques and instruments, Vitreous Microsurgery is a comprehensive how-to guide to all vitreoretinal procedures. This thoroughly updated Fifth Edition describes many new techniques and refinements of established procedures. More than 170 three-dimensional full-color illustrations—many by the Charles Retina Institute's resident medical artist, Byron Wood—enable surgeons to clearly visualize the techniques. This edition has new chapters on the Constellation vitrectomy system, uveitis, retinal complications of permanent keratoprosthesis, and anti-VEGF therapy and completely rewritten chapters on anesthesia and on retinopathy of prematurity. All illustrations have been updated, the majority to a 25-gauge approach instead of 20-gauge, and many new illustrations have been added. Many techniques and parameters unique to 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy are discussed in detail. A companion website offers the fully searchable text and an image bank.

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.

The value of this book lies in the quality and expertise of the text chapters contributed by multiple international experts across the globe. Clearly written by the contributors providing a global perspective about the subject. Attempts to update the state-of-the-art vitreoretinal surgery in a lucid, authoritative and well-illustrated manner. Detailed reference lists following each chapter provide extensive background support for the text. Outstanding illustrations combined with excellent schematic drawings, beautiful clinical photographs, fluorescein angiograms, and OCT images. Illustrations.