The relatively simple, stratified nature of the retina and its spe- fied use in the visual process has long made it an inviting tissue to study both for its own sake and as a model for the more complex processes of the brain. For these dual purposes, the retina can be thought of as basically consisting of two functional pans. First, the outer retina, comprised of the photoreceptor cells and attendant pigment epithelium, serves to capture the photic energy and convert it into a neurochemical response. Second, the inner layers of the retina, mainly bipolar, amacrine and ganglion cells (and their attendant Maller cells), function more clearly as a typical part of the CNS, transmitting the photic signals to the brain. Between the 8th and 12th of August 1988 more than seventy scientists from allover the world gathered in Oldenburg (Federal Republic of Gennany) for a meeting "The neurobiology of the inner retina" which was devoted entirely to the neural mechanism of the inner synaptic layer of the verte brate retina. The meeting comprised twenty - three separate lectures and four specially arranged discussion groups. In addition, a number of posters were displayed and a period was allotted specifically for the discussion of these posters. The articles contained in this book will serve as a record of the papers delivered at the Oldenburg Meeting and illustrate the advances made in trying to understand the importance of the diversity of amacrine cell morphology and physiology in retinal function.

Glaucoma is one of the main causes of blindness throughout the world. It is characterized by death of the retinal ganglion cells, which is associated with loss of the axons making up the optic nerve. Recent studies have demonstrated support for the classification of glaucoma as a degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The search for treatment modalities that are effective for all patients with glaucoma has resulted in numerous studies aimed at identifying neuroprotection strategies for the treatment of this disease, like those used for other degenerative diseases of the CNS.
The present book will provide an in-depth examination of the most recent findings regarding glaucoma, including risk factors, diagnosis, clinical monitoring, treatment, and above all, the need for treatment based on the concept of neuroprotection. A large part of the book is devoted to research related to this new approach to the treatment of glaucoma. Aspects that will be analyzed include experimental models of glaucoma, clinical protocols for the study of neuroprotective therapies, mechanisms underlying glaucomatous damage to neurons of the retina and other "stations" in the visual pathways of the CNS, and finally proposals for new strategies for preventing neuronal injury in glaucoma patients.
* Describes the most recent developments on neuroprotection of the optic nerve, including experimental models now used and clinical protocols
* Discusses new strategies for the prevention of neuronal injury in glaucoma patients
* Focuses on evidence-based risk factors, innovative diagnostic aspects and advanced medical/surgical treatment of glaucoma