This is a concise how-to of successfully treating previously deemed "untreatable" retinal and optic nerve conditions with stem cell therapies. Based on the results of 11 years of experience treating approximately 600 patients, this text will serve as a template for others to develop similar stem cell based treatments in their specialty. Author, Jeffrey N. Weiss, MD is specifically poised to offer dependable insight on stem cell surgery for both the retina and the optic nerve, having performed the first retinal stem cell surgery in 2010, with Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved studies that are registered with the National Institute of Health (NIH), and listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. Featuring all original work from Dr. Jeffrey Weiss's specialization in stem cell ophthalmology, this book is primarily written for ophthalmologists, but structured so that specialists across disciplines can take the model presented and create their own studies and clinical trials using stem cell therapies.

Ocular neuroprotection is aimed at protecting the death of photoreceptors, retinal ganglion, or other important neurons in cases of disease or trauma. Levin (ophthalmology and neurology, U. of Wisconsin at Madison, US) and Di Polo (pathology and cell biology, U. of Montreal, Canada) present 18 chapt.

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.

This book discusses why specific diseases are being targeted for cell-based retinal therapy, what evidence exists that justifies optimism for this approach, and what challenges must be managed in order to bring this technology from the laboratory into routine clinical practice. There are a number of unanswered questions (e.g., surgical approach to cell delivery, management of immune response, optimum cell type to transplant) that very likely are not going to be answered until human trials are undertaken, but there is a certain amount of “de-risking” that can be done with preclinical experimentation. This book is essential reading for scientists, clinicians, and advanced students in stem cell research, cell biology, and ophthalmology.

A physician and pioneer in the integrative treatment of serious eye diseases such as Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt and other retinopathies reveals the best strategies used today to prevent and reverse these devastating diseases. Drawing on some of the hottest topics in modern medicine, the book discusses the surprising revelations from the research in Epigenetics and adult stem cells. Your genes are not your destiny. From our work with thousands of people, we understand that you might be fearful that you will lose your independence or your ability to do even the simplest tasks because serious eye disease is taking your sight. This book empowers you with simple tools that combat degenerative eye disease. Tools that support a healthy lifestyle and methods to remove damaging stress from your day to day life. You will find ways to transform fear into action, so that you can move forward in your life. Instead of fear you will begin to have control. You can have the ability to drive again, see your grandkids again. The book presents techniques drawn from over 30 years of working directly with these diseases that over and over again show something can be done to slow and reverse these challenging issues. Along with these techniques it features real life stories of success from people who were in the same place as you might be right now. You are not alone in this experience. There are thousands of others who walk the path with you. Feel like you don't quite understand the components and causes of eye disease, let alone how they can be reversed? By reading this book you will better understand the root sources of these challenges and how healing occurs. Knowledge is power after all and this book is here as your resource. There is in-depth discussion of key topics regarding adult stem cells, Epigenetics and other topics you need to know. Stop feeling helpless. There is a wealth of information in this book that can help you now. These methods have helped thousands of people around the world restore vision in diseases that most physicians consider hopeless. This book provides hope and a clear plan of action. If you or those you love are challenged by degenerative eye disease, then this book will be a powerful friend in giving you back the parts of your life taken by eye. There is Hope for Sight(r).

Stem Cells in Ophthalmology describes a wide range of therapeutic applications of stem cells in ophthalmological treatments. This book is written and edited by distinguished international authors, who have drawn heavily on their in-depth academic knowledge, practical experience and research. Comprised of 17 chapters, the book initially covers basic stem cell biology and immunity, proceeding to detail the use of stem cell therapy to regenerate all the structures of the visual system and ocular adnexa. Immunologic factors, such as antigen identification and functional rejection pathways are discussed in detail. The book also details practice of translational medicine and facilities, and governmental requirements needed to establish an ocular stem cell program. Stem Cells in Ophthalmology gives extensive coverage to the regenerative use of stem cells in ophthalmology. Enhanced by 84 colour images and illustrations, this is an essential resource for ophthalmologists and stem cell therapists. Key Features 84 full colour images and illustrations Covers all structures of the visual system in detail Edited by pan-American team of ophthalmology experts from Argentina, USA and Brazil

A discussion of all the key issues in the use of human pluripotent stem cells for treating degenerative diseases or for replacing tissues lost from trauma. On the practical side, the topics range from the problems of deriving human embryonic stem cells and driving their differentiation along specific lineages, regulating their development into mature cells, and bringing stem cell therapy to clinical trials. Regulatory issues are addressed in discussions of the ethical debate surrounding the derivation of human embryonic stem cells and the current policies governing their use in the United States and abroad, including the rules and conditions regulating federal funding and questions of intellectual property.

This book is a comprehensive guide for all tissue bank operators to screen, procure and process amniotic membrane for clinical application.The amnion comes close to being the ideal biological membrane or dressing — readily available, inexpensive to procure and process. Its basic science is discussed in detail — anatomy, biological and biomechanical properties.It can be procured from the placenta in normal vaginal deliveries and from Caesarean Sections. Processing is by freeze-drying or by air-drying process with sterilisation using gamma irradiation.The product has low antigenicity, has anti-microbial properties with ability to enhance epithelisation with marked relief of pain. It is useful as a dressing for wounds — flap wounds, burn wounds, injury wounds, diabetic ulcers, leprous ulcers and post-surgery wounds and post-radiation wounds. It is also used as a biological scaffold for cells in tissue engineering. Its ophthalmic applications include treatment of corneal ulcers and conjunctival tumours. Oral uses include gingiva depigmentation and periodontal regeneration.

Since the first successful isolation and cultivation of human embryonic stem cells at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1998, there has been high levels of both interest and controversy in this area of research. This book provides a concise overview of an exciting field, covering the characteristics of both human embryonic stem cells and pluripotent stem cells from other human cell lineages. The following chapters describe state-of-the-art differentiation and characterization of specific ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm-derived lineages from human embryonic stem cells, emphasizing how these can be used to study human developmental mechanisms. A further chapter discusses genetic manipulation of human ES cells. The concluding section covers therapeutic applications of human ES cells, as well as addressing the ethical and legal issues that this research have raised.

This book is a comprehensive, in-depth, and up-to-date resource on eye pathology that will be of great practical value for ophthalmic and general pathologists and ophthalmologists. Congenital abnormalities, inflammatory conditions, infections, injuries, degenerative diseases, and tumors are all covered with the aid of more than 700 images. In the case of tumors, the wide variety of neoplasms that occur in the eyelid, conjunctiva, retina, uveal tract, lacrimal gland and sac, orbit, and optic nerve are comprehensively reviewed, and the most recent knowledge on the relation between genetics and prognosis is presented. Entries on specific diseases are organized in a standard way, with information on etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, differential diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis. The authors are all recognized experts and members of the European and American ophthalmic pathology societies.​