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Elsevier

Biochemistry of the Eye

  • 2nd Edition - August 22, 2003
  • Latest edition
  • Author: David R. Whikehart
  • Language: English

A readable introduction to this difficult topic, this textbook provides information on the molecular structures and biochemical events that occur in the eye. With specific clinical… Read more

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Description

A readable introduction to this difficult topic, this textbook provides information on the molecular structures and biochemical events that occur in the eye. With specific clinical examples, basic science is linked to clinical practice and helps students understand this challenging topic.General biochemistry is discussed in each chapter. Many examples of biochemical pathology and disease processes, such as age-related cataract formation and ocular diabetes, are described.

Key features

  • Well-illustrated content, featuring color inserts with 10 illustrations, shows visual aspects of biochemistry.
  • Each chapter features a general review of the subject matter prior to discussing ocular biochemistry.
  • Discussions of proteins that are either unique to the eye and/or have special functions in the eye, such as collagen's role in the structure of the cornea, emphasize the importance of these compounds and their many essential cellular and ocular functions.
  • Discussions of the nature and function of enzymes, in addition to descriptions of examples of specific enzymes found in the eye, highlight the manner in which many biochemical reactions occur in the eye is via enzyme catalysis.
  • A chapter on carbohydrates emphasizes the importance of the two roles of carbohydrates in ocular tissue: energy supply (nutrition) and as a source of extracellular structure.
  • An explanation of the many different kinds of lipids that exist in the eye features the most up-to-date material on tear film lipids and useful information on dietary Vitamin A requirements.
  • A chapter on hormones deals with the role of hormones in general and shows how hormones play roles in ocular functions, including the process of visual transduction as a hormonal function.
  • A thorough review of nucleic acid chemistry points out its role in molecular biological functions such as DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein translation, as well as DNA mutations.
  • A chapter on neurochemistry provides an understanding of basic neurochemistry and how neurochemistry can explain the complex functions of the retina.
  • The immunochemistry chapter contains basic material on biochemical and cellular immunology, discussing immune privilege in the eye and the importance of immune reactions at the anterior segment.

Readership

Primary: Optometry students, optometrists
Secondary: Ophthalmologists

Table of contents

Chapter 1 Water and Ocular Fluids: Physical Chemistry of Ocular Fluids
Chapter 2 Proteins: Essential Components of the Eye
Chapter 3 Enzymes: Ocular Catalysts
Chapter 4 Carbohydrates
Chapter 5 Lipids
Chapter 6 Hormones
Chapter 7 Nucleic Acids
Chapter 8 Neurotransmitters and Neurotransmission
Chapter 9 Immunochemistry
Chapter 10 Biochemistry Pathways

Review quotes

My impression of this book was very positive. It is well illustrated, easy to read and understandable. I recommend the book to all students of this area, confident that it will give them a solid grounding in the basics, along with some specifics of occular biochemistry
Clinical and Experimental Optometry, November 2004

Product details

  • Edition: 2
  • Latest edition
  • Published: August 22, 2003
  • Language: English

About the author

DW

David R. Whikehart

Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Physiological Optics, School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

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