- Email: [email protected]
Diabetes and Its Ocular Complications
S68
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
gram will ask a series of questions about the type of data being analyzed and then suggest the most appropriate test. The program runs all of the basic statistical tests described in the book and does so in the most straightforward possible manner. For each test, one has the option of entering the raw data or reading a file that is easy to prepare with any standard word processor. Many tests will allow the user to enter the means, standard deviations, and other characteristics of the sample group, rather than each data point. This software is not designed to perform complex multivariate analyses, or handle any data set larger than 200 data points. These are tasks best left to more powerful database and statistical packages that require some statistical expertise. I was able to perform (-tests and other comparative statistics on a study with two groups of 50 patients each in less than ten minutes. The same task would have taken con siderably more time on a full fledged micro computer or mainframe statistical package. At a price much more consistent with a textbook than a software package, Primer of Biostatistics is an invaluable addition to the armamentarium of any clinical investigator.
Diabetes and Its Ocular Complications. By Wil liam E. Benson, Gary C. Brown, and William Tasman. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Compa ny, 1988. 216 pages, index, illustrated. $65 Reviewed by MATTHEW D. DAVIS
Madison, Wisconsin This comprehensive review of the ocular complications of diabetes by three outstanding ophthalmologists with broad experience in this area will be a welcome addition to any ophthal mic library. The first third of the text reviews the epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy and theories regarding its pathogenesis. Also in cluded here are chapters on psychophysical and electrophysiologic abnormalities and on the blood retinal barrier. The second major section of the book deals with the clinical findings, differential diagnosis, and course of retinopathy, and with nonretinal ocular com plications as well. The final section considers
May, 1988
treatment and concludes with a chapter on histopathologic findings by David Apple and associates. Each chapter reviews much of the volumi nous relevant literature, and provides both a useful summary of current opinions and a guide for those wishing to pursue any specific area in greater depth. Perhaps of greatest value to ophthalmologists involved in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy will be the practical suggestions regarding management derived from the authors' extensive clinical experience.
Uveitis. A Colour Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment. By Jack J. Kanski. Stoneham, Mas sachusetts, Butterworths, 1987. 114 pages, index, illustrated. $59.95 Reviewed by WILLIAM W. CULBERTSON
Miami, Florida This is a beautifully illustrated and concise handbook, which could serve as a handy refer ence source for ophthalmologists dealing with frustrating cases of uveitis. An excellent intro ductory chapter orients the reader to the vari ous classifications, schemes, and general clini cal features of uveitis. This is followed by chapters on uveitis associated with arthritis, noninfectious systemic diseases, and chronic systemic infections. Subsequent chapters deal with parasitic, viral, and fungal infections and "idiopathic specific uveitis entities." The book concludes with three chapters on the general medical management of uveitis and surgery for complicated cataracts and secondary glauco mas. Probably the most worthwhile features of the book are Dr. Kanski's interspersed clinical notes and the excellent diagrams and clinical photographs that illustrate each type of uveitis. The sections on toxoplasmosis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are especially well written and illustrated. Techniques for performing pro cedures such as chelation of band keratopathy, periocular corticosteroid injections, and pars plana lensectomy are described in a helpful, practical manner. The manual would be of even greater practi-
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
gram will ask a series of questions about the type of data being analyzed and then suggest the most appropriate test. The program runs all of the basic statistical tests described in the book and does so in the most straightforward possible manner. For each test, one has the option of entering the raw data or reading a file that is easy to prepare with any standard word processor. Many tests will allow the user to enter the means, standard deviations, and other characteristics of the sample group, rather than each data point. This software is not designed to perform complex multivariate analyses, or handle any data set larger than 200 data points. These are tasks best left to more powerful database and statistical packages that require some statistical expertise. I was able to perform (-tests and other comparative statistics on a study with two groups of 50 patients each in less than ten minutes. The same task would have taken con siderably more time on a full fledged micro computer or mainframe statistical package. At a price much more consistent with a textbook than a software package, Primer of Biostatistics is an invaluable addition to the armamentarium of any clinical investigator.
Diabetes and Its Ocular Complications. By Wil liam E. Benson, Gary C. Brown, and William Tasman. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Compa ny, 1988. 216 pages, index, illustrated. $65 Reviewed by MATTHEW D. DAVIS
Madison, Wisconsin This comprehensive review of the ocular complications of diabetes by three outstanding ophthalmologists with broad experience in this area will be a welcome addition to any ophthal mic library. The first third of the text reviews the epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy and theories regarding its pathogenesis. Also in cluded here are chapters on psychophysical and electrophysiologic abnormalities and on the blood retinal barrier. The second major section of the book deals with the clinical findings, differential diagnosis, and course of retinopathy, and with nonretinal ocular com plications as well. The final section considers
May, 1988
treatment and concludes with a chapter on histopathologic findings by David Apple and associates. Each chapter reviews much of the volumi nous relevant literature, and provides both a useful summary of current opinions and a guide for those wishing to pursue any specific area in greater depth. Perhaps of greatest value to ophthalmologists involved in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy will be the practical suggestions regarding management derived from the authors' extensive clinical experience.
Uveitis. A Colour Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment. By Jack J. Kanski. Stoneham, Mas sachusetts, Butterworths, 1987. 114 pages, index, illustrated. $59.95 Reviewed by WILLIAM W. CULBERTSON
Miami, Florida This is a beautifully illustrated and concise handbook, which could serve as a handy refer ence source for ophthalmologists dealing with frustrating cases of uveitis. An excellent intro ductory chapter orients the reader to the vari ous classifications, schemes, and general clini cal features of uveitis. This is followed by chapters on uveitis associated with arthritis, noninfectious systemic diseases, and chronic systemic infections. Subsequent chapters deal with parasitic, viral, and fungal infections and "idiopathic specific uveitis entities." The book concludes with three chapters on the general medical management of uveitis and surgery for complicated cataracts and secondary glauco mas. Probably the most worthwhile features of the book are Dr. Kanski's interspersed clinical notes and the excellent diagrams and clinical photographs that illustrate each type of uveitis. The sections on toxoplasmosis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are especially well written and illustrated. Techniques for performing pro cedures such as chelation of band keratopathy, periocular corticosteroid injections, and pars plana lensectomy are described in a helpful, practical manner. The manual would be of even greater practi-