Recent Advances in Ophthalmology Research

This book is a collection of relevant topics dealing with recent advances in ophthalmology research. The selected review studies present novel investigation and prospects in ophthalmology concerning ocular stem cells, neurodegeneration, immunology, angiogenesis treatment, and ocular blood flow. All the chapters are written by experts in the selected fields. Discussed topics include novel treatment strategies for major causes of blindness such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusions. In particular, the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the available anti-VEGF medications and their characteristics in conjunction with mathematical modeling used to explain the results seen in clinical trials and to predict the responses in still untested circumstances; and the specifics of the ocular vascular system and an overview of the currently used methods of ocular blood flow are reviewed. Novel applications and technology in ocular circulatory research are addressed; correlation of the pathogenetic mechanisms of two relevant neurodegenerative diseases - glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease; the possible link in the context of the axon, dendrite, and synapse and the idea of compartmentalized degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma is discussed; the promoters of innate immunity of the ocular surface is presented in context of dry eye syndrome; and the different aspects of stem cell use in treating ocular diseases, including ongoing research efforts and future prospects. This collection is intended for ophthalmologists, as well as for medical doctors from other specialties and medical students who have interest in the field of ophthalmology. The information presented in this book has both scientific and clinical relevance for the reader. This book has been conceived and prepared with the expectation that it would add new insights and inspiration for clinicians and researchers who deal with patients suffering from ophthalmic diseases.