The improvement of diagnostic levels for fundus diseases depend on the advancements of fundus imaging technology. Different fundus imaging technologies allow doctors to inspect ocular fundus from different aspects such as morphological or functional changes of retina. As a basic fundus examination method, optical coherence tomography provides highresolution and crosssectional retinal images coupled with noninvasive advantages. Fully understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each fundus imaging technique, appropriate choosing one or combining several imaging techniques, and optimizing diagnostic procedures for each fundus disease are crucial steps to improve our diagnostic levels of ocular fundus diseases.
In recent years, more and more new diagnostic and examining techniques are popularized, which improves the level of ocular fundus disease diagnosis and treatment. Because of the uneven distribution of diagnostic and therapeutic instruments resources, low level of application techniques, and different professional level of the doctors, the improvement and development of the application of the equipments and level of the diagnosis and treatment were inhibited. Appropriate understanding and applying basic diagnostic techniques of ocular fundus disease and comprehensive promoting the professionalsprime; levels are an urgent problem needs to be solved.
In addition to its role as a sex hormone, estrogen aff ects the struc ture and function of many other systems such as the bone, the cardiovascular and the nervous system. Here, we review the most recent supporting evidence for es trogen as an important player in ocular fundus diseases, focusing particularly o n the effects of estrogen on these diseases and the underlying mechanisms. Base d on this, we also discuss the clinical applicability of estrogen in treating va rious agerelated disorders including agerelated macular degeneration and ret in al neurodegeneration. Our growing understanding of estrogenmediated action at a molecular level will provide insight into the controversies surrounding hormon e replacement therapy.