This text provides expert instruction on the varying surgical techniques currently employed for the regeneration of the ocular surface. Corneal Regeneration: Therapy and Surgery begins with a thorough discussion of current research based on data obtained in clinical human studies, and discusses the potential clinical implications for this promising new stage of eye surgery. Sections devoted to the stem cell, regenerative surgery and therapy of the ocular surface epithelium, corneal stroma, and corneal endothelium follow, each section comprehensively covering applied anatomy, current therapy and regenerative techniques, with a look to future directions of the field including eventual cell therapy. Corneal Regeneration: Therapy and Surgery is the first book of its kind, systematically covering the developments the medical community has achieved in corneal regeneration from all angles. Written and edited by leading experts in the field, researchers and ophthalmologists alike will find this to be a unique source of information on corneal regeneration, as well as a thoughtful reflection on potential applications of regenerative surgery in ophthalmology as a whole.

With an increasingly aged population, eye diseases are becoming more widespread. Biomaterials have contributed in recent years to numerous medical devices for the restoration of eyesight, improving many patients' quality of life. Consequently, biomaterials and regenerative medicine are becoming increasingly important to the advances of ophthalmology and optometry. Biomaterials and regenerative medicine in ophthalmology reviews the present status and future direction of biomaterials and regenerative medicine in this important field.Part one discusses applications in the anterior segment of the eye with chapters on such topics as advances in intraocular lenses (IOLs), synthetic corneal implants, contact lenses, and tissue engineering of the lens. Part two then reviews applications in the posterior segment of the eye with such chapters on designing hydrogels as vitreous substitutes, retinal repair and regeneration and the development of tissue engineered membranes. Chapters in Part three discuss other pertinent topics such as hydrogel sealants for wound repair in ophthalmic surgery, orbital enucleation implants and polymeric materials for orbital reconstruction.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Biomaterials and regenerative medicine in ophthalmology is a standard reference for scientists and clinicians, as well as all those concerned with this ophthalmology. - Reviews the increasingly important role of biomaterials and regenerative medicine in the advancement of ophthalmology and optometry - Provides an overview of the present status and future direction of biomaterials and regenerative medicine in this important field - Discusses applications in both the anterior and prosterior segments of the eye with chapters on such topics as synthetic corneal implants and retinal repair and regeneration

Continuous regeneration of the cornea is necessary to maintain this tissue in the transparent state that is essential for vision. Therapy for repair of the damaged anterior cornea is currently addressed through the transplantation of donor corneas or the delivery of limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) to the ocular surface using amniotic membrane (AM) as a supporting scaffold. Research on the bioengineering of corneal equivalents as replacement tissue is underway to develop viable corneal prosthetics. Corneal Regenerative Medicine: Methods and Protocols provides a concise overview of essential techniques in the field of corneal regenerative medicine, highlighting novel strategies to guide the management of key therapies within this area of medicine. Divided into four convenient sections, topics include the identification, characterisation and cultivation of LESC, as well as the investigation of biopolymers used as the basis for corneal substitutes. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Corneal Regenerative Medicine: Methods and Protocols covers the fundamental techniques useful for both the laboratory and clinical settings.

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.

This volume details different laboratory techniques used to develop regenerative therapies that help treat corneal blindness. Chapters guide readers through methods and protocols on optimal cell culture conditions, gene-editing techniques, multiple types of scaffold for corneal regeneration, how to evaluate the success of these therapies, and cell and material characterization techniques. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Corneal Regeneration: Methods and Protocols aims to be useful for new and experienced laboratory researchers working on different aspects of corneal regeneration.

"Essentials in Ophthalmology" is a new review series covering all of ophthalmology categorized in eight subspecialties. It will be published quarterly, thus each subspecialty will be reviewed biannually. Given the multiplicity of medical publications already available, why is a new series needed? Consider that the half-life of medical knowledge is estimated to be around 5 years. Moreover, it can be as long as 8 years between the first description of a medical innovation in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and publication in a medical textbook. A series that narrows this time span between journal and textbook would provide a more rapid and efficient transfer of medical knowledge into clinical practice, and enhance care of our patients.

This book will contain the proceedings of the XIV International Symposium on Retinal Degeneration (RD2010), held July 13-17, 2010, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. 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; candidate genes, cloning, mapping and other aspects of molecular genetics; and developing potential therapeutic measures such as gene therapy and neuroprotective agents for potential pharmaceutical therapy.