Retinal and Choroidal Angiogenesis

Retinal and choroidal angiogenesis are the leading causes of irreversible vision loss in developed countries. For this reason, ocular angiogenesis is an intensely studied process, and the field is advancing at an astounding pace. It has become increasingly difficult to manage the vast amount of information generated by the growing group of interested investigators, thus a resource is needed that distills and summarizes our progress to date. Retinal and Choroidal Angiogenesis provides a comprehensive, in-depth review of our current understanding of the growth of blood vessels within the eye. Renowned academic scientists, pharmaceutical scientists, and clinician-scientists have contributed chapters identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of retinal and choroidal angiogenesis; defining animal models of these pathologic processes; or describing the application of current tools, techniques, and theories to disease pathogenesis in humans suffering from conditions characterized by ocular angiogenesis. Additionally, novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of ocular angiogenesis are discussed, as are the unique challenges presented by delivery of drugs to the eye. Retinal and Choroidal Angiogenesis emphasizes basic principles rather than specific experimental results, although recently acquired data is frequently cited to illustrate points of broader theoretical significance. The result is a reference work appealing to ophthalmologists interested in clinical applications, as well as to basic scientists interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis, both in the context of ocular and non-ocular conditions.