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Introduction

Introduction Ophthalmologica Published online: August 18, 2010 Ophthalmologica 2010;224(suppl 1):1 DOI: 10.1159/000315596 Macular edema is now one of the major causes of central vision loss. It in- volves the macular area, and when it progresses and involves the central fovea, vision is impaired with a consequent loss in quality of life. Laser treatment has for some time been the only treatment option, and al- though its mechanism of action is still unclear, it causes retinal damage by itself and some degree of visual loss. It stabilizes the disease process and is able to stop its progression, but patients complain of its immediate effects on the quality of vision. New therapeutic agents have finally arrived and there are now new options available to treat retinal diseases and, more specifically, macular edema. An important step forward has been the administration of steroids directly into the eye by intravitreal application, thus achieving high local concentrations without systemic effects and avoiding the blood-retinal barrier. Major challenges now include the need to better understand when and how we should use steroids for retinal disease, to identify responders, to character- ize the inf lammatory components acting in the different retinal diseases, and to use different delivery systems in order to improve disease management by being able to choose the most appropriate time interval between administra- tions, taking into account the specificity of the drug used, duration of the delivery system and reduction of side effects to a tolerable minimum. These matters are addressed in this supplement issue by experts in the various scientific fields involved, and their contributions help to better un- derstand the increasingly complex area of retinal disease management. José Cunha-Vaz , Coimbra © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel 0030–3755/10/2247–0001$26.00/0 Fax +41 61 306 12 34 E-Mail karger@karger.ch Accessible online at: www.karger.com www.karger.com/oph http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Ophthalmologica Karger

Introduction

Cunha-Vaz, José
Ophthalmologica , Volume 224 (Suppl 1): 1 – Jan 1, 2010
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Publisher
Karger
Copyright
© 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel
ISSN
0030-3755
eISSN
1423-0267
DOI
10.1159/000315596
Publisher site
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Abstract

Ophthalmologica Published online: August 18, 2010 Ophthalmologica 2010;224(suppl 1):1 DOI: 10.1159/000315596 Macular edema is now one of the major causes of central vision loss. It in- volves the macular area, and when it progresses and involves the central fovea, vision is impaired with a consequent loss in quality of life. Laser treatment has for some time been the only treatment option, and al- though its mechanism of action is still unclear, it causes retinal damage by itself and some degree of visual loss. It stabilizes the disease process and is able to stop its progression, but patients complain of its immediate effects on the quality of vision. New therapeutic agents have finally arrived and there are now new options available to treat retinal diseases and, more specifically, macular edema. An important step forward has been the administration of steroids directly into the eye by intravitreal application, thus achieving high local concentrations without systemic effects and avoiding the blood-retinal barrier. Major challenges now include the need to better understand when and how we should use steroids for retinal disease, to identify responders, to character- ize the inf lammatory components acting in the different retinal diseases, and to use different delivery systems in order to improve disease management by being able to choose the most appropriate time interval between administra- tions, taking into account the specificity of the drug used, duration of the delivery system and reduction of side effects to a tolerable minimum. These matters are addressed in this supplement issue by experts in the various scientific fields involved, and their contributions help to better un- derstand the increasingly complex area of retinal disease management. José Cunha-Vaz , Coimbra © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel 0030–3755/10/2247–0001$26.00/0 Fax +41 61 306 12 34 E-Mail karger@karger.ch Accessible online at: www.karger.com www.karger.com/oph

Journal

Ophthalmologica – Karger

Published: Jan 1, 2010

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