MEDICAL PROGRESS - DISEASES OF THE RETINA

The retina, the transparent neural tissue lining the interior of the eye, is the initial receptor for visual stimuli. Exciting progress has been made in many areas of retinal investigation, from genetic breakthroughs in retinoblastoma and retinitis pigmentosa to sophistication in the medical and surgical therapy of retinal diseases. This article reviews recent clinical developments in diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, retinal manifestations of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and age-related macular degeneration. Classically, the retina is separated into 10 layers on light microscopy (Figure 1)1. The photoreceptors, consisting of rod and cone cells, are located near the outer surface. © 1994, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.