Advances In Ophthalmology: A Journey Through Diabetic Retinal Research & Innovations

I have known Jacqueline for many years and is for me a luxury and also an honor that a researcher of her renowned level has asked me to write the preface of this magnificent book that deals with novel and very important concepts in the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is not a rare disease and remains as the main preventable cause of blindness at working age population in developed countries. Currently, its treatment is based on laser photocoagulation and intravitreal injections of antiangiogenic agents and/or glucocorticoids. These treatments are administered in advanced stages of the disease and are invasive, expensive and with significant adverse effects. At present, there is no approved treatment for the early stages of the disease. Precisely this unmet medical need is what has brought the scientific interest of Jacqueline’s and my research group in this field together. Notably, our relationship was based on passionate debates in the setting of scientific meetings that we held for several years, particularly in the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). It was always stimulating to see Jacqueline not only attending this prestigious meeting but contributing with important news. More importantly, we share some decades ago on most of the revolutionary ideas that actually are now well- established concepts in the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy, such as the essential role of retinal neurodegeneration in the incipient stages of the disease and its therapeutic implications. This book is a good guide to dive into the origin of these concepts. Jacqueline M L Faria, MD, PhD completed her graduation at Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, SP, BRAZIL in 1990. After, she did residency in ophthalmology and post-doctoral fellow at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Back in Brazil, she finished the PhD program at University of Campinas. From 2000 till now he has been Senior Scientist at Laboratory of Diabetic Microvascular Complications at Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (SP, Brazil) and visiting professor at post-graduation course in the same University. More recently, she has been the founder and CEO of a nano-biotech startup focused of development of novel non-invasive pharmacological treatments in ophthalmology (diabetic retinal diseases and related) for unmet medical needs. In the chapters of this book, Jacqueline's main lines of research are perfectly reflected and the origin and reason for the new therapeutic strategies can be easily understood. People like Jacqueline are the ones who change the world of science. As past-president of the EASD-eye complications group and on behalf of the entire scientific community involved in the field of diabetic retinopathy I would like to thank you Jacqueline for her excellent translational research. As a friend I only wish that we can continue seeing each other at the EASD meetings and other international conferences and maintain our enthusiastically debates on the innovations that our research teams can still contribute to this field of science. Jacqueline, never change and continue to be an example for all young researchers