Description

The objective of the research line is to favor the reduction of visual disability determined by retinal and macular diseases through a greater understanding of the etiopathogenetic mechanisms to identify the main biomarkers of disease progression and consequently to identify targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In fact, retinal diseases represent one of the most frequent causes of visual loss in the adult population with a consequent serious social impact.

 

Introduction

The most frequently encountered retinal and macular diseases with a high social impact are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, vascular occlusions, alterations of the vitreoretinal interface, retinal and choroidal diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy, etc. The understanding of the etiopathogenetic mechanisms through an often multidisciplinary and integrated approach with experimental models, using in vitro and in vivo models, and clinical research, with the most innovative imaging techniques, allow to better characterize patients with retinal diseases. The final goal is to identify a correct individualized therapeutic approach and encourage the innovation of new therapeutic strategies and instruments for vitreo-retinal surgery.

 

Rational

The main retinal and macular diseases have a significant social impact, leading to progressive visual dysfunction. The identification of biomarkers of diagnosis, prognosis and response to therapy are a priority of the research line. In fact, based on what we produce and what is reported in the literature, the objective of the research line is aimed at the study of the etiopathogenic mechanisms underlying pathologies using experimental models in vitro and in vivo, and at the identification of innovative morpho-functional diagnostic procedures that can provide a contribution to the understanding of the aforementioned processes.

While on the one hand the identification of increasingly sensitive and specific diagnostic methods would favor the reduction of the socio-health cost, on the other hand the understanding of the physio-pathogenic mechanisms could favor the identification of new therapeutic approaches with the aim of reducing visual disability and improving the quality of life of patients. In addition, the study with experimental models of the flow dynamics of vitreous humor is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of current instruments of vitreoretinal surgery with the possibility of proposing improvements thereof.

Objectives

Reduction of visual impairment and improvement of quality of life in patients with retinal and macular diseases through:

1) the understanding of the etiopathogenetic mechanisms through in vitro and in vivo experimental models and the use of innovative diagnostic procedures;

2) the identification of effective individualized therapeutic approaches and new therapeutic opportunities.

 

Expected results

1) Identification of new elements useful for understanding the main etiopathogenic mechanisms of retinal pathologies through a multidisciplinary and integrated approach between experimental models with the use of in vitro and in vivo models, clinical research, and specific laboratory tests.

2) Identification and validation of innovative diagnostic techniques for understanding the main etiopathogenic mechanisms of retinal diseases and identification of the main morphological and functional risk factors contributing to the development and progression of diseases (identification of biomarkers of diagnosis and prognosis).

3) Identification of factors contributing to the choice of a more appropriate individualized therapeutic approach (identification of biomarkers of response to treatment) and new therapeutic strategies.

4) Optimization of the best intervention timing in vitreo-retinal surgery.