Over the past decades, knowledge about the cellular and molecular basis underlying the visual process has remarkably increased. In Retinal Degeneration: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field provide a guide of relevant and state-of-the-art methods for studying retinal homeostasis and disease. These include methods and techniques for addressing cell culture systems and animal models of disease, their generation, their phenotypic and molecular characterization as well as their use in therapeutic approaches to the retina. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Retinal Degeneration: Methods and Protocols aids scientists in continuing to study the cutting-edge techniques of retinal cell biology in health and disease.

Contains the proceedings of the XVI International Symposium on Retinal Degeneration (RD2014), to be held July 13-18, 2014 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California. A majority of those who will speak and present posters at the meeting will contribute to this volume. The Symposium addresses the blinding diseases of inherited retinal degenerations, which have no effective treatments and age-related macular degeneration, which has no cures, despite the fact that it is an epidemic among the elderly, with 1 in 3-4 affected by the age of 75. The RD2014 Symposium will focus on the exciting new developments aimed at understanding these diseases and providing therapies for them. 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; molecular genetics; and developing potential therapeutic measures such as gene therapy and neuroprotective agents for potential pharmaceutical therapy; and several sight restoration approaches, including optogenetics. While advances in these areas of retinal degenerations will be included, several new topics either were in their infancy or did not exist at the time of the last RD Symposium, RD2012. These include many new developments in sight restoration using optogenetics, retinal or RPE cell transplantation, stem cell approaches and visual prosthetic devices. In addition, major advances will be presented in other basic mechanisms in age-related macular degeneration, several new aspects of gene and antioxidant therapy and revolutionary new imaging and functional testing that will have a huge impact on the diagnosis and following the course of retinal degenerations, as well as to provide new quantitative endpoints for clinical trials. The retina is an approachable part of the central nervous system (CNS), and there is a major interest in neuroprotective and gene therapy for CNS diseases and neurodegenerations, in general. It should be noted that with successful and exciting initial clinical trials in neuroprotective and gene therapy, including the restoration of sight in blind children, the retinal degeneration therapies are leading the way towards new therapeutic measures for neurodegenerations of the CNS. Many of the successes recently reported in these areas of retinal degeneration sprang from collaborations established at previous RD Symposia, and many of those will be reported at the RD2014 meeting and included.

This book covers all relevant techniques of diagnosis as well as interpretations of clinical signs in Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology. All information is highly structured, highlighting 'definition', 'note' and 'pearl', so that it can also be used by the physician during the patient encounter. The included flow chart posters remind the physician of the most important information. This unique and practical guide offers invaluable and practical advice for physicians treating patients with neuro-ophthalmic problems.

This lavishly illustrated atlas demonstrates normal in-vivo anatomy of the cornea, limbus, and conjunctiva; quantifies various cellular structures using cell-density calculations; and establishes correlations between novel optical sections of various diseases of the ocular surface and clinical findings. It also describes early signs of different eye diseases and supports the reader in diagnostic and therapeutic management.

This book, written by leading clinicians and scientists, focuses on recent clinically relevant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of corneal disorders. After an opening chapter considering the latest knowledge on the heredity of keratoconus, important advances in corneal imaging are discussed, in particular the use of optical coherence tomography and in vivo confocal microscopy for evaluation of the normal and the diseased cornea. Antiangiogenic treatment options are then reviewed, and new aspects in the diagnosis and therapy of mycobacterial keratitis explained. Further chapters address the storage of donor cornea for penetrating and lamellar keratoplasty and the keratoplasty in infants. The book closes by discussing new developments in antibacterial chemotherapy for bacterial keratitis.

Written by two renowned experts, this book surveys the use of botulinum toxin A in aesthetic medicine, including patient selection and evaluation, as well as rules and requirements. The book provides hands-on information for common indications, such as forehead and glabella, lateral brow lift, crow's feet and lower eyelid, bunny lines and marionette lines, nose and nasolabial folds, cheeks and "gummy smile," upper and lower lip, and the chin and neck. A section with tips and tricks makes this book an invaluable resource for the practicing dermatologist, plastic surgeons and all other physicians interested in the field of aesthetic medicine.

Visual Fields via the Visual Pathway presents the varying visual field deficits occurring with lesions of the visual pathway. The book covers anatomy, pathology and signs and symptoms, plus visual field defects associated with specific parts of the visual pathway. Also covered is the basic theory of visual field assessment. This new edition includes updated methods of visual field assessment, additional descriptions of how individual visual field results should be interpreted, an updated review of the pros and cons of the various available test programs, and recent research advances and recommendations on baseline assessment, diagnosis, and re-assessment options to promote good clinical practice decisions. The book expands on the previous edition to consider further types of perimetry and also updates existing perimetry information. The Octopus 900 perimetry, introduced since the first edition, features alongside Goldmann and Humphrey perimeters. Artefacts of testing are discussed as well as their identification versus actual visual field deficit. A section on differential diagnosis is also included. Chapters include numerous illustrations of visual field results, colour plates of associated fundus images, and neuroimaging scans. References and further reading lists are also provided with key articles and up-to-date literature.

Fluorescein angiography is an indispensable tool in ophthalmology. It is founded on the evaluation of phenomena related to the behavior intravenously administered sodium fluorescein in the tissues of the ocular fundus. This book deals with the morphological prerequisites and structural changes on which the individual phenomena are based. It provides the retina specialist, the general ophthalmologist, and the basic scientist with valuable information toward understanding the nature and mechanism of the underlying disorders.

This volume details the latest technology in treating eye injuries and infections. It provides insight into the most up-to-date and established treatment options. The volume focuses on what can currently be achieved with a variety of ocular prostheses as well as what the future holds. Coverage reviews issues such as intraocular lens implants, biocompatibility of materials, retinal implants, testing models, and software designs.

Patient specific and disease specific stem cell lines have already introduced groundbreaking advances into the research and practice of ophthalmology. This volume provides a comprehensive and engaging overview of the latest innovations in the field. Twelve chapters discuss the fastest growing areas in ophthalmological stem cell research, from disease modelling, drug screening and gene targeting to clinical genetics and regenerative treatments. Innovative results from stem cell research of the past decade are pointing the way toward practicable treatments for retinitis pigmentosa, age related macular degeneration, and Stargardt disease. What future directions will stem cell research take? Researchers, graduate students, and fellows alike will find food for thought in this insightful guide tapping into the collective knowledge of leaders in the field. Stem Cells in Ophthalmology is part of the Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine series dedicated to discussing current challenges and future directions in stem cell research.

J.P.C. de Weerd Evoked potentials are the electrical voltage fluctuations which can be recorded from parts of the nervous system in response to stimulation of sensory modalities. One may distinguish between evoked potentials from the peripheral and the central nervous system. For the latter type a further subdivision can be made into spinal, brainstem, and cortical evoked potentials, according to the (assumed) structures from which the responses derive. Another possible subdivision can be made with respect to the specific sensory ffiodality which is stimulated. Accordingly, one has auditory, somatosensory, visual, gustatory and olfactory evoked potentials. At the present time, the former three types of evoked potentials are the ones that are commonly measured in diagnostic procedures. Yhe corresponding sensory systems are relatively easy to stimulate, for example by means of an acoustic click, abrief electrical shock or a reversing light pattern. In contrast, stimulation of the olfactory and gustatory systems has proven to be technically and physiologically difficult and research in these areas is still in an early stage.

This book provides a visual overview of how to master ultrasonography and ultrasound biomicroscopy techniques. Updated ultrasonic information is included in a simple brief way, featuring didactic points, with a variety of documented scans and illustrated lines underneath for more clarification. Each pathology is accompanied with several scans of different findings to give more information of distinct detections. Ophthalmic Ultrasonography and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy: A Clinical Guide examines many clinical complexities with possible solutions when performing and interpreting ultrasound while also breaking down information for easier intake. The clinical cases are from a specialist eye hospital where many complicated cases are treated, giving a unique insight for the reader to understand treatment for a variety of cases. The book also emphasises the importance of everyday cases with further explanation whilst utilising a diversity of pictures and labels.

Originally published in 1931, this book presents a detailed study of the facts and theories regarding detachment of the retina as they existed at the time of publication. The text is divided into six chapters, discussing the following areas: general aspects of the condition; the structure and function of involved tissues; pathogenesis; differential diagnosis; treatment; and prognosis. Illustrative figures and an appendix section are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in opthalmology and the history of medicine.

Originally published in 1939, this book presents a comprehensive study of hydrophthalmia, also known as buphthalmia, incorporating information on causes, treatment and outlook as they were understood at the time of publication. An approach based on comparative anatomy and pathology is used, with analysis of Australian fauna such as ornithorhyncus, echidna, pseudochirus and dasyurus incorporated into the study. The text also provides descriptions of all the different methods of operative treatment which had been tried, with a thorough analysis of the results obtained by various surgeons. Numerous illustrative figures are included throughout. This book will be of interest to anyone with an interest in the history of medicine and ophthalmology.

The distinguished authors have perfected the most frequently performed oculoplastic surgical techniques. The Atlas is designed to instruct all ophthalmologists who wish to learn these techniques. Mastery of these procedures is made easy by numerous superbly illustrated step-by-step instructions. The study of the supporting anatomy, followed by clear-cut guidelines with heavily illustrated techniques, offers a format that allows the learner to gain the necessary understanding for achieving a more favourable result.

Originally published in 1933, this book presents a historical study of ophthalmology in Britain from its earliest phases during the Roman period up until the end of the eighteenth century. Numerous illustrative figures, detailed textual notes and an appendix section are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in ophthalmology and its history.

"Glaucoma Clinical Care: The Essentials "is a pragmatic, slimmer companion volume to the more academically focused text "The Glaucoma Book "by the same editors. This new book is a thoroughly updated manual for the day-to-day diagnosis and management of glaucoma patients by comprehensive ophthalmologists and optometric physicians. Its 33 chapters are authored by world renowned experts in clinical care and basic research, providing evidenced-based research, office examination skills, clinical pearls, and up-to-date reviews of the scientific literature on glaucoma, as wel l as extensive graphics and tables to accompany the text.

"Glaucoma Clinical Care: The Essentials "is the one book to have and consult when confronted with a problematic glaucoma patient sitting in your exam chair as it is a thorough presentation of glaucoma medications, laser, and incisional glaucoma surgeries, complete with commentaries on advantages and disadvantages of the different therapies.

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When in the early 60s echography was introduced into the field of ophthalmol ogy, very few ophthalmologists realized the enormous potential of this procedure, the fundamental impact it would have on our branch of medicine or the innovations it would spawn. From its hesitant beginnings, echography has led to revolution in the field of ophthalmology and to our way of examining, treating and monitoring patients affected by eye disorders. This technique has brought untold benefits to patients worldwide. A crucial element in fostering the advance of the application of ultrasound in ophthalmology has been and is the biannual conference of the Societas Internationalis pro Diagnostica Ultrasonica in Ophthalmologia (SIDUO), and incidentally, the Latin name reflects the wish of the founding members that SIDUO be truly international, and even though the instruments and apparatus used in the discipline are highly innovative, the underlying philosophy is one that traces back to Hippocrates, i.e., the healing of man and the improvement of man's quality of life. The first SIDUO conference was held in 1964 in Berlin.

Clinico-Pathological Atlas of Congenital Fundus Disorders is a concise yet comprehensive text encompassing the salient features of congenital anomalies of the vitreous, retina and choroid with their appropriate pathology. The volume is divided into clinical sections dealing with the various aspects of vitreo-retinal disorders including genetic, vascular, infectious, and neoplastic entities. Detailed, instructive illustrations are paired with corresponding text for quick reference. Over 200 illustrations enhance the presentation, including more than 190 in color. The basics of anatomy, embryology, pathology and ocular genetics, as well as methods of examination, are also discussed. Therapy guidelines and visual prognosis round out the discussion. This book is an invaluable reference allowing the practitioner to quickly compare the case at hand with the wealth of examples presented here. The volume will train the resident and refresh the practicing ophthalmologist in quickly recognizing the plethora of congenital diseases of the eye.

To create a forum for scientists and clinicians interested in degenerative retinal diseases, we began in 1984 to organize a biennial symposium on Retinal Degeneration as a satellite meeting of the International Congress of Eye Research. The timing and varying location of these meetings provides an important assembly for investigators from throughout the world to convene for presentation of their new findings on the causes and potential therapies for degenerative retinal disorders. The VIII International Symposium on Retinal Degeneration was held from July 28-25, 1998, at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Schluchsee, a small town in the Black Forest of southwestern Germany. Most of the participants in this meeting contributed to this volume, and we are appreciative of the efforts of each author in making this publication possible. The research presented at the meeting, and described in this proceedings volume, reflects a strong emphasis on the molecular genetic approach to understa- ing these disorders. Several of the papers provide important new insights into the mechanism of photoreceptor degeneration and cell death. A number of the studies are targeted at retarding or reversing the degeneration process. Included for the first time are presentations from all the principal laboratories involved in the field of visual prostheses-implant (chip) technology-in which investigations are targeted at restoring vision in eyes that have lost photoreceptor cells. A variety of diagnostic, clinical, histopathological, and physiological assessments of retinal degeneration in patients are also included.

The Role of Membrane Receptor Lateral Movement in Signal Transduction.

Patients aftlicted with thyroid eye disease or Graves' ophthamopathy (GO) may experience not only pain and visual loss, but also disfigurement. Full understanding of pathogenesis has been elusive, and treatment modalities are imperfect. As with other conditions, more effective intervention will follow only after a better understanding of pathogenesis is reached. The goal of this volume is to give an overview by leaders in the field of the present state of the art both in pathogenesis and clinical aspects of GO. Much attention has been directed towards determining which cells within the orbit are targets of the autoimmune process, and how these and other cells might participate in the local inflammatory process. It is now generally agreed that orbital fibroblasts, preadipocyte fibroblasts, and adipocytes are the targeted and activated cells in GO and that full-length TSH receptor (TSHr) is expressed in these cells. Further, there is growing consensus that this receptor is up-regulated in the orbit in GO, residing primarily in newly differentiated adipocytes. However, it is also evident, given a sufficiently sensitive assay, that TSHr is detectable in fibroblasts and adipocytes from the normal orbit and other anatomic sites, as well. It will be important to determine whether the observed increase in orbital TSHr expression itself initiates the orbital autoimmune process. Also to be decided is whether orbital lymphocytes from GO patients specifically recognize this receptor, and what factor or factors unique to Graves' dIsease might stimulate TSHr expression in orbital cells.

On behalf of the editorial board and the organizing committee of the 4th congress of the International Society of Ocular Toxicology (I SOT), held in AnnecyNeyrier du Lac, France, October 9 -13, 1994, we are pleased to present to the ocular toxicology community this indexed volume of our congress proceedings. The 4th congress was designed primarily to facilitate and update the knowledge in ocular electrophysiology and ocular pharmacokinetics, in both the clinical and preclinical aspects. The outcome of this 4th congress, established in this volume, is a useful contribution to the meth odology in both fields and will hopefully assist in the evaluation and interpretation of ocular findings recorded in animal studies on drugs and other chemicals, in order to protect human health. Undoubtedly, work on the mechanisms of ocular toxicology in the process of pharmaceutical development must continue and these proceedings, embodying the presented papers, will add to the data base. The editors, the congress organizing committee and the members of the International Society of Ocular Toxicology thank the speakers who gave their time, knowledge, and expertise to assist us in this project. The following manuscripts contain the main substance of each of the platform presentations and, in some cases, much more. Moreover, our thanks go to all the participants coming from a range of background- regulatory, academic and industrial -for their attention and excellent contributions during the discussion."

In 1984, we organized a two-day symposium on retinal degenerations as part of the biennial meeting of the VI International Society for Eye Research, held in Alicante, Spain. The success of this first meeting led to the second held, two years later in Sendai, Japan, organized as a satellite of the VII ISER. We were fortunate that these meetings began at a time of vigorous research activity in the area of retinal degenerations, thanks to the financial support of the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation and the strong encouragement of its scientific director, Dr. Alan Laties. Significant advances were made so that every two years scientists were eager to meet to share their findings. The programs included presentations by both basic and clinical researchers with ample time for informal discussions in a relaxed atmos phere. Many investigators met for the first time at these symposia and a number of fruitful collaborations were established. This book contains the proceedings of the VI International Symposium on Retinal Degenerations held November 6-10, 1994, in Jerusalem. As with the other meetings, some new areas were covered. One session was devoted to apoptosis, an important process involved in cell death in inherited retinal degenerations. Another session was on invertebrate photoreceptors, where numerous mutations have now been identified that lead to altered function or degeneration of the retina. All participants were invited to submit chapters and most complied. We thank them for their contributions."