Uveal Melanoma
Uveal melanoma arises from melanocytes located in the uveal tract of the eye and is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults. Metastatic liver disease is the overwhelming cause of death in uveal melanoma patients, with almost 50% of patients developing liver metastases up to 15 years after diagnosis. Most of these patients do not present with any evidence of overt metastasis at the time of initial diagnosis although it is assumed that they have undetectable micrometastases. Currently, there are no therapeutic modalities to prevent or efficiently treat the metastatic disease in uveal melanoma patients. Recent discoveries have shed light on the molecular pathways that may contribute to the progression of liver metastasis. The aim of this review is to describe new insights into the genetic and molecular pathways that may play a role in the development of liver metastases in uveal melanoma patients
Toxoplasmosis
Ocular toxoplasmosis is the most common cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. It can be acquired congenitally or postnatally and ocular lesion usually present years after acute systemic infection. Current treatment options control ocular inflammation but have a limited role in preventing recurrences. We present a review and update on ocular toxoplasmosis and address misconceptions still found in the medical literature.
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa is a devastating eye disease that affects millions of individuals in all age-brackets worldwide. To date, there is no established therapy to treat or reverse the damage caused by this genetic disorder. The current research focus in the field is on retinal regeneration through the use of retinal stem cells or tissue transplants. The eye is one of the few places in the body that is deemed to be immunoprivileged and thus there is no issue of transplanted cell rejection. Potential therapeutic benefits of transplanted retinal stem cells extend beyond retinitis pigmentosa to encompass numerous other degenerative eye diseases. The primary goal of our research is to study the therapeutic potential of these cells in retinitis pigmentosa.
Retinoblastoma
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly worldwide. The more severe form of the disease (wet AMD) is characterized by irregular growth of blood vessels from the choroid underneath the retina. This pathologic process can have drastic, vision-impairing consequences in affected individuals. Modern approaches to disease management include antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory drug intervention. The promise of a rapidly aging population necessitates aggressive research into more effective strategies for controlling the prevalence and progression of this disease.
Other Clinical Ocular Pathologies
Diabetes
Keratoconus
