Myopia and the Control of Eye Growth

A compilation of essays based on papers delivered at the symposium on "Myopia and the Control of Eye Growth", held at the Ciba Foundation in London, 20-22 March 1990. The Ciba Foundation promotes international co-operation in biological, medical and chemical research.

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Myopia and the Control of Eye Growth Chairman: J. Wallman 1990 Myopia is the most common disorder of the eye, affecting 80 per cent of the population in some countries. Its basis remains uncertain; recent developments of animal models of myopia have permitted experimental tests of hypotheses about possible aetiological causes. This symposium covers the normal growth of the eye and the involvement of metabolism, accommodation and other factors in normal and abnormal growth. The deficiencies that lead to myopia and other refractive disorders are discussed. Aspects of retinal anatomy and physiology relevant to the understanding of the biological factors limiting visual resolution are described. The effects of neurotransmitters and neurotoxins on eye growth reveal information about the nature of normal and experimentally manipulated eye growth and development. The multiplicity of theories about the aetiology of myopia has led to numerous therapeutic approaches; the effectiveness of such therapies is debated.
Animal models of myopia have demonstrated the importance of patterned visual input to the developing eye and the ability of the eye to recover if the constraint that caused the myopia is removed early enough. These findings are significant for the detection and correction of myopia in newborn human infants. Other Ciba Foundation Symposia: No 126 Selective neuronal death Chairman: H. Wisniewski 1987 ISBN 0 471 91092 9 No 143 The biology of hyaluronan Chairman: T.C. Laurent 1989 ISBN 0 471 92305 2 No 146 Photosensitizing compounds: their chemistry, biology and clinical use Chairman: T.J. Dougherty 1989 ISBN 0 471 92308 7 No 149 Human genetic information: science, law and ethics Chairman: Sir Gustav Nossal 1990 ISBN 0 471 92624 8