Unlike the cornea or lens, the retina is part of the central nervous system and cannot be replaced. Therefore degeneration of the outer retina is blinding, but trials using devices such as retinal implants which combine biology with technology are showing promise at restoring vision. Macular diseases are the most common cause of blindness in the developed countries. Oedema of the macula may arise in the retina, such as in diabetes mellitus or in epiretinal membrane formation, but most importantly it is age-related insufficiency of the underlying retinal pigment epithelial cell that causes central scotoma.This volume on vitreoretinal surgery is written by authors who are leaders in these fields of research. It covers the large body of experimental research performed to date on the most urgent clinical problems of vitreoretinal disease.Topics dealt with in the book include:Methods against etinal Exudation by Thermal Laser Replacement of the Diseased Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) Cell Secondary Wound Healing after Retinal Attachment (Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy, PVR) Adjunct Pharmacotherapy Heavier than Water Vitreous Substitutes Conditions Associated with a High Risk of PVR (e.g. Giant Tear Retinal Detachments) Uveitis Vitrectomy with New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Means
