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Contact Lenses
236
BOOK REVIEWS
of fitting contact lenses. It should be a wel come edition to the ophthalmologist's and technician's library. The author is certain of his subject and has brought it completely up to date. The writing is concise and lucid, and the text is well illustrated. The book is not cluttered with descriptions of outmoded methods. Illustrations and descriptions of molding and final adjustment are detailed enough so that, if followed, unsatisfactory fits will be reduced to a minimum. One criticism can be made. Encouraging technicians to mark loose or tight areas in the hope that the manufacturer can accu rately relieve them is certainly misleading. The subject of contact lenses needs con tinued investigation. There is further need of public education as to their usefulness. It is stressed that contact lenses will continue to be fitted but the extent to which this will be done is questioned. Indication for contact lenses at the present time is quite definite, and many misconcep tions held by the public stem from ignor ance. Poor technical fittings have discour aged potential users. Those patients, who ob tained contact lenses as a fad, are also a source of adverse publicity. Few from this group are willing to expend the effort re quired to develop a tolerance to their lenses or to try numerous solutions in order to find a suitable one. Francis W. Parker.
CONTACT LENSES. By Theodore E. Obrig. Philadelphia, The Chilton Company, 2nd edition, 1947. 546 pages. 180 figures, bibliography, and index. Price, not listed. The author is a recognized authority on contact lenses. He has developed many inno vations and techniques and, through his teachings, has done much to popularize the use of these devices, particularly the plastic type of contact lens. His work shows evi
dence of much scholarship, research, and study. Contact lenses are still in the process of evolution. It is not inconceivable that in the near future these lenses will be developed so that they can be easily fitted and comfortably worn, for as long as the individual may de sire, without harm. At the present time this ideal has not been reached, although closely approached. The struggle to obtain a satis factory solution for the "liquid lens" ; that is, the part between the cornea and contact lens, is an example of the difficulties encountered. The author ably writes of these difficulties and gives an interesting history of his efforts to obtain such a liquid. The problem of whether to use plastic ma terial, glass, or part glass and plastic is an other controversial one that is being worked over. The subject is in a healthy state of flux and has not yet settled to the bottom. Al though he is the prime advocate of the molded method of manufacturing contact lenses, the author fairly discusses the contri butions of other workers and their methods of fitting. This temperate and considered writing is attractive and scientific, and is quite in contrast with other volumes on the subject that have recently appeared. The indications for contact-lens use are perhaps unduly comprehensive and enthusi astic, in view of the present state of the de velopment. There is, however, little to quar rel about here, provided no injury to the eye will result from wearing the lens. Should the problem be solved and the ideal reached, it will make nearly obsolete, and overnight, the wearing of spectacles. The glitter, gleam, and sparkle of the human eye will be en hanced with unforeseen biologic results ; and the entire male population, insofar as its eyes are concerned, will be available to destroy each other with greater efficiency in warfare. Mr. Obrig has written an entertaining and instructive book. Derrick Vail.
BOOK REVIEWS
of fitting contact lenses. It should be a wel come edition to the ophthalmologist's and technician's library. The author is certain of his subject and has brought it completely up to date. The writing is concise and lucid, and the text is well illustrated. The book is not cluttered with descriptions of outmoded methods. Illustrations and descriptions of molding and final adjustment are detailed enough so that, if followed, unsatisfactory fits will be reduced to a minimum. One criticism can be made. Encouraging technicians to mark loose or tight areas in the hope that the manufacturer can accu rately relieve them is certainly misleading. The subject of contact lenses needs con tinued investigation. There is further need of public education as to their usefulness. It is stressed that contact lenses will continue to be fitted but the extent to which this will be done is questioned. Indication for contact lenses at the present time is quite definite, and many misconcep tions held by the public stem from ignor ance. Poor technical fittings have discour aged potential users. Those patients, who ob tained contact lenses as a fad, are also a source of adverse publicity. Few from this group are willing to expend the effort re quired to develop a tolerance to their lenses or to try numerous solutions in order to find a suitable one. Francis W. Parker.
CONTACT LENSES. By Theodore E. Obrig. Philadelphia, The Chilton Company, 2nd edition, 1947. 546 pages. 180 figures, bibliography, and index. Price, not listed. The author is a recognized authority on contact lenses. He has developed many inno vations and techniques and, through his teachings, has done much to popularize the use of these devices, particularly the plastic type of contact lens. His work shows evi
dence of much scholarship, research, and study. Contact lenses are still in the process of evolution. It is not inconceivable that in the near future these lenses will be developed so that they can be easily fitted and comfortably worn, for as long as the individual may de sire, without harm. At the present time this ideal has not been reached, although closely approached. The struggle to obtain a satis factory solution for the "liquid lens" ; that is, the part between the cornea and contact lens, is an example of the difficulties encountered. The author ably writes of these difficulties and gives an interesting history of his efforts to obtain such a liquid. The problem of whether to use plastic ma terial, glass, or part glass and plastic is an other controversial one that is being worked over. The subject is in a healthy state of flux and has not yet settled to the bottom. Al though he is the prime advocate of the molded method of manufacturing contact lenses, the author fairly discusses the contri butions of other workers and their methods of fitting. This temperate and considered writing is attractive and scientific, and is quite in contrast with other volumes on the subject that have recently appeared. The indications for contact-lens use are perhaps unduly comprehensive and enthusi astic, in view of the present state of the de velopment. There is, however, little to quar rel about here, provided no injury to the eye will result from wearing the lens. Should the problem be solved and the ideal reached, it will make nearly obsolete, and overnight, the wearing of spectacles. The glitter, gleam, and sparkle of the human eye will be en hanced with unforeseen biologic results ; and the entire male population, insofar as its eyes are concerned, will be available to destroy each other with greater efficiency in warfare. Mr. Obrig has written an entertaining and instructive book. Derrick Vail.