Upfront
Focus on Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The treatment of age-related macular degeneration continues to rapidly evolve and this issue of Retinal Physician continues to highlight these ongoing developments. A peer-reviewed article describing current standard of care for verteporfin therapy, including treatment and retreatment guidelines based on the recent clinical trials, is presented. Practical consideration for the introduction of Macugen into the clinical practice is also discussed. Not forgetting that the majority of patients we see with AMD have nonexudative disease, Emily Chew, MD, provides unique expert perspective on current thinking regarding what should and should not be recommended for patients based upon the data from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). Dr. Chew also provides us with an update on the status of AREDS II.

Updating the latest developments on the surgical front, we present an article describing choices the vitreoretinal surgeon may face when deciding to purchase a surgical microscope. In addition, the expanding use of various dyes and chemicals to visualize preretinal tissues during vitreoretinal surgery is explored, with a comprehensive view of the pros and cons of the agents available to physicians today.

This issue also presents the first peer-reviewed case report to appear in Retinal Physician, describing a subacute bacteria endocarditis diagnosed on the basis of the ophthalmic presentation.

I would like to extend a thank you to all the physicians who attended the first annual Retinal Physician Symposium in Paradise Island, Bahamas. The symposium featured several lectures from today's thought leaders in posterior segment ophthalmology on new and future treatment strategies for retinal disease in a tropical atmosphere. We are looking forward to continuing this symposium in years to come.

I also would like to take this opportunity to encourage the readers of Retinal Physician to submit articles for publication including case reports, case series, and clinical studies. The rapid turnover that is possible with Retinal Physician will give you an opportunity to see your material published in a timely manner.