Preface

Research has yielded major discoveries about the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of several ocular diseases over the last decade. Basic science and translational research in every field of ophthalmology and for retinal disease have accelerated. The resultant novel discoveries have improved and will continue to improve the daily lives of our patients, also giving us the opportunity to better understand what we must know and what we need to do. Novel therapies offer not only sight-saving, less destructive forms of treatment for several retinal diseases but also treatments that can improve visual acuity in many cases. In addition, preventive treatments are being developed. This book presents the latest information on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and surgical treatment of several retinal diseases.

The first section focuses on vitreous and macular diseases. Chapters in this section discuss the clinical findings seen in the vitreoretinal interface, macular hole pathogenesis, and treatment. Each chapter in this section includes color pictures, tables, and figures. The chapters also examine surgical approaches to the treatment of medical retinal diseases by exploring the latest advances in ophthalmologic surgical treatment. While traditional medical therapies such as intravitreal injections have been effective in treating these conditions, the development of new surgical interventions offers the potential for longerlasting solutions.

The next sections present in-depth information on current and experimental forms of treatment for vitreous retinal disease, glaucoma, ocular tumors, and inflammation. Chapters discuss mechanisms of action, clinical treatment techniques, target patient population, expected outcomes, and both the positive and negative aspects of each treatment. One chapter is dedicated to the progress in optogenetic retinal prostheses. Optogenetics has emerged as a revolutionary technology that enables circuit-specific restoration of neuronal function with millisecond temporal resolution. Restoring vision is one of its most promising applications. These areas of research may one day lead to future treatments that help to overcome visual loss and damage. Progress in these areas renews our hope for future generations afflicted with some retinal diseases. As in the case of the first edition, this volume does not compile and analyze all the existing knowledge of retinal disease.

I hope that the information presented herein continues to incite inquiry and ignite research that may unearth those enigmatic answers to questions about the etiology of and cure for some very complicated diseases.

> **Giuseppe Lo Giudice** San Paolo Ophthalmic Center, San Antonio Hospital, University of Padua, Padova, Italy

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Section 1

Vitreous and Macular Disease

Section 1
