Dear Colleagues, 

The retina is part of the central nervous system with unique advantages for studying neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. Because of its location within the eye, it is easily accessible for local small-dose therapies. In addition, the efficacy of the treatments can be evaluated in vivo using morphological (e.g., optical coherence tomography, OCT) and functional tests (e.g., electroretinography, ERG).

The leading causes of irreversible blindness in the world are at present photoreceptor degenerative diseases in their many forms (inherited, acquired or induced) and glaucoma. Most clinically identifiable diseases cause blindness through neuronal degeneration of photoreceptors and/or retinal pigment epithelial cells or retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the case of retinal degenerative diseases affecting the outer or inner retina, respectively. These diseases are, in many cases, heterogeneous and multifactorial, which complicates the identification of effective treatment, currently non-existent, and therefore represent a major burden on the health system, due to the increase in life expectancy, and also on the economy, as they often affect working-age adults. In addition, it is now widely recognized that photoreceptor degenerations cause, over time, retinal disorganization and complete retinal remodeling, culminating in the degeneration and death of RGCs, the afferent neurons of the retina, which further complicates the success of many of the therapies proposed for these diseases. In addition to retinal neuronal death, it is worth noting the role of retinal glia in the course of these diseases and, in particular, in retinal remodeling and glial seal formation.

This Special Issue aims to study retinal degenerative diseases to shed light on the events that take place in the retina during the course of these diseases, such as neuronal degeneration, glial activation, etc., as well as their possible present and future treatments.

Dr. Diego García-Ayuso
Dr. Johnny Di Pierdomenico
Guest Editors

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• retina
• photoreceptor degenerative diseases
• inherited retinal degenerations
• glaucoma
• retinal pigment epithelial cells
• retinal ganglion cells (RGCs)
• neuronal degeneration
• glial activation