Abstract

Located behind the cornea, iris and lens, the vitreous is a clear gel in the center of the eye (figure 1). The inner surface of the eye is lined with retina, a multi-layered sensory tissue. In the retina the photoreceptors, rods and cones, are capable of phototransduction; light is converted into signals that will stimulate neuronal impulse transmission.1 The nerve impulses then travel through axons of the retinal ganglion cells, via the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain where these signals are processed. Under the retina are the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch’s membrane. The RPE is a monolayer of highly pigmented hexagonal cells which forms the outer blood-retinal barrier of the eye. The RPE is highly specialized in nutrient and waste transport, and in the synthesis and secretion of the proteins needed for retinal function.2 The retina is also protected from light damage by the RPE, as the RPE melanosomes absorb excess incoming light.1 The basement membrane of the RPE is the innermost layer of the five layers of Bruch’s membrane, and the basement membrane of the choriocapillaris forms the bottom layer of Bruch’s membrane. Bruch’s membrane further consists of fine collagen and elastic fiber layers through which nutrients pass from the choriocapillaris to the RPE, and through which cellular waste products pass from the RPE to the choriocapillaris.3 The choroid, which contains the choriocapillaris, supplies oxygen to the outer layers of the retina, whereas the retinal vessels supply the inner retina. The outermost layer of the eye is the sclera, which gives support and protects the eye, and to which the eye musculature is attached.

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J.C. van Meurs (Jan)
The studies presented in this thesis were supported by Combined Ophthalmic Research Rotterdam; Dutch MS Research Foundation; FOM; MD fonds; NOW; Oogfonds; Rotterdam Eye Hospital Flieringa Research Foundation, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (SWOO Flieringa); Royal Visio, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Stichting Blindenbelangen; Stichting Coolsingel; ZonMW The publication of this thesis was financially supported by Alcon Nederland BV; Allergan BV; AMO Netherlands BV; Bayer Healthcare BV; D.O.R.C. International BV; Eyetech BV; Gratama-Stichting; Laméris Ootech BV; Landelijke Stichting voor Blinden en Slechtzienden; Low Vision Totaal / Low Vision Europe; Medical Workshop BV; Merck Sharp & Dohme BV; Novartis Pharma BV; Oculenti BV; Rockmed BV; Rotterdamse Stichting Blindenbelangen; Stichting Blindenhulp; SWOO-Prof.dr. H.J. Flieringa; Thea Pharma; Ursapharm Benelux BV; Carl Zeiss BV.
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/50334
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

van Zeeburg, E. (2014, January 15). Surgical Treatment of Acute Submacular Hemorrhages and Advanced Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/50334