This is the proceedings of the XIIIth International Symposium on Retinal Degenerations, which will be held in Emeishan, Sichuan, China on September 18 - 23, 2008. The themes will include "Molecular and genetic mechanisms in photoreceptor degeneration", "Age-related macular degeneration", "New diagnostic techniques for retinal degenerations". "Neuroprotection in the prevention of retinal degeneration", "Gene therapy and the correction of gene defects", as well as other emerging topics that may develop over the next few months.