Mechanisms of macular degeneration

The 12th Annual Vision Research Conference, ‘‘Mechanisms of Macular Degeneration” was held at the Convention Center at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, May 1–2, 2009. The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the genetics of AMD, and focused on animal models that closely mimic early or late onset human macular diseases. Major areas covered were mechanisms that lead to macular dystrophies, phenotyping novel animal models of macular degeneration, and upcoming strategies in pharmacological and genebased therapies in animal models. This special issue contains contributions from speakers and presenters of the meeting, focusing on ‘‘The macula in health and disease” (articles by Drs. Ai Ling Wang, David Hinton, and James T. Handa), ‘‘Animal models of macular degeneration and cone dystrophies” (articles by Dr. Heuy-Ching Wang and Dr. Hironori Uehara), ‘‘Gene-based therapies in animal models of macular degeneration” (contributions by Dr. Sarah Molokhia and Dr. Rajendra KumarSingh), ‘‘Age-related Macular Degeneration” (Dr. Margaret DeAnge-