Vision Research reviews ‘vision research’

This special issue of ‘‘Vision Research reviews ‘vision research’” features four mini-reviews, all by highly regarded vision researchers, covering a wide range of topics in contemporary ‘vision research’. In keeping with the breadth of coverage of the journal, the topics are highly diverse: from ‘‘Gene Profiling in Experimental Models of Eye Growth: Clues to Myopia Pathogenesis” to ‘‘Decision-theoretic models of visual perception and action”. The Special Issue begins with a review of gene expression in ocular tissues of experimental models that alter postnatal eye growth and induce refractive errors. Gene expression patterns are now being identified in species that include chicken, mouse and primate. Application of these new methods offers promise to provide a much-needed mechanistic framework for the development of therapies to normalize refractive development in children. In this review, Stone and Khurana (2010) attempt to reconcile results from a varied range of experimental designs and approaches. The second paper is aimed at strengthening the links between basic physiology and patient care through a review of Duane Retraction Syndrome (DRS), a congenital eye movement disorder most commonly characterized by the inability of the eye to abduct or move outwards. Yuksel, Orban de Xivry, and Lefevre (2010) provide a detailed review of the literature of DRS and propose an updated classification of DRS patients that could have a significant clinical impact. This article demonstrates the importance of patient studies in better understanding the physiology of eye movements. The third review deals with the important topic of driving. Research over the past few decades has addressed the role of vision in driver safety and performance. In her article, Owsley (2010) critically reviews what is currently known about the role of visual function in driving as well as issues related to vision screening for licensure and re-licensure, rehabilitation of visually impaired