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Contemporary Ophthalmology Honoring Sir Stewart Duke-Elder
VOL. 74, NO. 6
BOOK REVIEWS
and comatose patients and the use of ocular tension as an indication of tissue turgor. This book is of limited interest to ophthalmolo gists, who will find only a few topics applica ble to their surgical practice. John Weiter T H E PHYSIOLOGY OF THE EYE, 3rd
ed.
By
Hugh Davson. New York, Academic Press, 1972. Clothbound, 643 pages, table of contents, index, 453 black and white figures. $18.50 Hugh Davson is a splendid ocular as well as general physiologist and fortunately for ophthalmology, a prolific writer of textbooks on the subject. Besides his four-volume clas sic, The Eye, he has written books through several editions on general physiology, per meability, and ocular and cerebral spinal fluid. Now we have the third edition of his condensed textbook on ocular physiology. The first edition was published in 1949 and was reprinted the following year when Adler's Physiology of the Eye first ap peared. The second edition was published in 1963 and now, after nine years, a third edi tion with the same format, but expanded by 150 pages, is available. There is again an opening anatomical sec tion that is of use to the reader who is not an ophthalmologist. Following this introduction, there are five sections : first, the physiology and biochemistry of the aqueous, vitreous, cornea, and lens ; second, the mechanism of vision with a discussion of electrophysiology, photochemistry, and the like ; third, muscular mechanisms; fourth, visual perception; and fifth, physiologic optics. When the book was first published in 1949, the only detailed exposition in English was volume I of Duke-Elder's Textbook of Ophthalmology, published in 1932. Today, however, we have both Adler's 1970 edition, edited by Robert Moses, and Duke-Elder's 1968 Volume IV devoted to the physiology of the eye. Both are somewhat longer than Davson's book, but the latter holds up well in comparison. Davson's ocular physiology is
1223
clearly written and factual. Indeed, if any criticism is to be found it is that there is such a tremendous wealth of information packed into each paragraph that the uninitiated will find it complicated reading. The book is thus well suited for the more advanced student of ophthalmology and to that end it contains ex cellent recent references. As with all other areas of eye research, ocular physiology is changing at an exponential rate. This latest edition by Dr. Davson handles the informa tion explosion extremely well. It is a must for the student of ophthalmology and it will serve to update the knowledge of the most senior physician. J. Terry Ernest MULTIPLE
CHOICE QUESTIONS FOR
OPH
THALMOLOGISTS. By S. P. B. Percival.
Philadelphia, William and Wilkins, 1972. Clothbound, 88 pages, paper, table of con tents. $5.25 This book contains a collection of some 12 to 14 multiple choice questions in each of 12 different categories. One to five items in each question may be correct—a pattern used by the American Board of Ophthalmol ogy until 1971 examination. The smal vol ume concludes with the answers and refer ences. The collection is well done and pro vides a stimulating review of ophthalmology. Frank W. Newell CONTEMPORARY OPHTHALMOLOGY
HONOR
Edited by John G. Bellows. Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins, 1972. Clothbound, 554 pages, table of contents, index, 283 black and white figures and 4 color figures. $34.75 The brilliant mind and manner of Sir Stewart Duke-Elder have been honored in this volume concerned with the practice of contemporary ophthalmology. Fifty-five separate contributions from among Sir Stewart's professional colleagues and friends have been tastefully assembled. The community of the world's ophthalmologists ING SIR STEWART DUKE-ELDER.
1224
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
is well and widely represented, a fitting trib ute to the breadth and depth of the contribu tion to ophthalmology made by the most emi nent of them all. Each of the contributions are scholarly, thoughtful, timely and well referenced. Clin ical application of new medical, surgical, and pharmacotherapeutic techniques are stressed throughout. It would be in error to single out any one chapter, for each commends itself to the reader by its excellence and practicabil ity. The editor is to be congratulated for cre ating a volume that will help both the generalists and specialists stay abreast of new developments in a wide variety of areas. Staff members and practitioners will enjoy this volume immensely for it contains a wealth of information about ophthalmology and its master. The reader will find just what he desires—if not, he can "look it up in the Duke" ! Marvin L. Sears MODERN
PROBLEMS I N
OPHTHALMOLOGY,
VOL. 10. SECONDARY DETACHMENT OF THE
Edited by E. B. Streiff. Basel, S. Karger, 1972. Clothbound, index, 301 black and white figures, four color fig ures, 93 tables. $44.80 In September, 1970, the Gonin Club and the Swiss Ophthalmological Society held a combined meeting dealing with the problems of secondary retinal detachment and the 10th volume of "Modern Problems in Ophthal mology" contains the papers presented at these two meetings. The great problems with which ophthal mologist and ophthalmic surgeon are faced when treating secondary retinal detachments are covered thoroughly in this volume. The authors, who are all world-renown authori ties on retinal disease, present their various views and approaches to the myriad of prob lems which can arise when retinal detach ments occur secondary to trauma, systemic disease, or inflammation. It is somewhat regretable that this volume appeared two years RETINA.
DECEMBER, 1972
after the meeting took place and, therefore, some of the novelty of many of the tech niques and approaches described in this vol ume has worn off. Nonetheless, the articles summarize lucidly and thoroughly the pres ent state of the art of handling retinal and vitreous problems which evolve secondarily. This volume should be of interest to those who wish to familiarize themselves with the difficulties and problems encountered in treating secondary retinal detachments. Tibor Farkas MODERN PROBLEMS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY, VOL. 11. ACQUIRED COLOUR VISION D E F I CIENCIES. Edited by E. B. Streiff and G.
Verriest. Basel, S. Karger, 1972. Clothbound, table of contents, index, 68 black and white figures. $20.75 This book reflects the beginning of a mo ment within ophthalmology—a movement dedicated to the analysis of acquired color deficiencies. Since the rather famous sugges tion made by Helmholtz that congenital color anomalies were possibly reduction forms of normal color vision, great attention has been directed towards daltonism as a means of de fining normal mechanisms by subtraction. Through fundus reflectometry and other fine techniques we have greatly advanced our knowledge of congenital color defects. The results have quite effectively supported Helmholtz's thesis. Most recently, through the efforts of Professors Blackwell, Alpern, Sloan, and others, congenital monochromacy has become far less mysterious. Yet, the very subtle color sense has not been well exploited in acquired color defects. The reasons for this are complex. Our tests and facilities tend to be limited ; we tend to place too much emphasis on the role of the photolabile pig ments and to direct too little concern towards other response levels mediating color vision ; we have often studied disease processes at too advanced a state, etc. Thus, a new move ment concerned with acquired color deficien cies is to be welcomed and encouraged.
BOOK REVIEWS
and comatose patients and the use of ocular tension as an indication of tissue turgor. This book is of limited interest to ophthalmolo gists, who will find only a few topics applica ble to their surgical practice. John Weiter T H E PHYSIOLOGY OF THE EYE, 3rd
ed.
By
Hugh Davson. New York, Academic Press, 1972. Clothbound, 643 pages, table of contents, index, 453 black and white figures. $18.50 Hugh Davson is a splendid ocular as well as general physiologist and fortunately for ophthalmology, a prolific writer of textbooks on the subject. Besides his four-volume clas sic, The Eye, he has written books through several editions on general physiology, per meability, and ocular and cerebral spinal fluid. Now we have the third edition of his condensed textbook on ocular physiology. The first edition was published in 1949 and was reprinted the following year when Adler's Physiology of the Eye first ap peared. The second edition was published in 1963 and now, after nine years, a third edi tion with the same format, but expanded by 150 pages, is available. There is again an opening anatomical sec tion that is of use to the reader who is not an ophthalmologist. Following this introduction, there are five sections : first, the physiology and biochemistry of the aqueous, vitreous, cornea, and lens ; second, the mechanism of vision with a discussion of electrophysiology, photochemistry, and the like ; third, muscular mechanisms; fourth, visual perception; and fifth, physiologic optics. When the book was first published in 1949, the only detailed exposition in English was volume I of Duke-Elder's Textbook of Ophthalmology, published in 1932. Today, however, we have both Adler's 1970 edition, edited by Robert Moses, and Duke-Elder's 1968 Volume IV devoted to the physiology of the eye. Both are somewhat longer than Davson's book, but the latter holds up well in comparison. Davson's ocular physiology is
1223
clearly written and factual. Indeed, if any criticism is to be found it is that there is such a tremendous wealth of information packed into each paragraph that the uninitiated will find it complicated reading. The book is thus well suited for the more advanced student of ophthalmology and to that end it contains ex cellent recent references. As with all other areas of eye research, ocular physiology is changing at an exponential rate. This latest edition by Dr. Davson handles the informa tion explosion extremely well. It is a must for the student of ophthalmology and it will serve to update the knowledge of the most senior physician. J. Terry Ernest MULTIPLE
CHOICE QUESTIONS FOR
OPH
THALMOLOGISTS. By S. P. B. Percival.
Philadelphia, William and Wilkins, 1972. Clothbound, 88 pages, paper, table of con tents. $5.25 This book contains a collection of some 12 to 14 multiple choice questions in each of 12 different categories. One to five items in each question may be correct—a pattern used by the American Board of Ophthalmol ogy until 1971 examination. The smal vol ume concludes with the answers and refer ences. The collection is well done and pro vides a stimulating review of ophthalmology. Frank W. Newell CONTEMPORARY OPHTHALMOLOGY
HONOR
Edited by John G. Bellows. Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins, 1972. Clothbound, 554 pages, table of contents, index, 283 black and white figures and 4 color figures. $34.75 The brilliant mind and manner of Sir Stewart Duke-Elder have been honored in this volume concerned with the practice of contemporary ophthalmology. Fifty-five separate contributions from among Sir Stewart's professional colleagues and friends have been tastefully assembled. The community of the world's ophthalmologists ING SIR STEWART DUKE-ELDER.
1224
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
is well and widely represented, a fitting trib ute to the breadth and depth of the contribu tion to ophthalmology made by the most emi nent of them all. Each of the contributions are scholarly, thoughtful, timely and well referenced. Clin ical application of new medical, surgical, and pharmacotherapeutic techniques are stressed throughout. It would be in error to single out any one chapter, for each commends itself to the reader by its excellence and practicabil ity. The editor is to be congratulated for cre ating a volume that will help both the generalists and specialists stay abreast of new developments in a wide variety of areas. Staff members and practitioners will enjoy this volume immensely for it contains a wealth of information about ophthalmology and its master. The reader will find just what he desires—if not, he can "look it up in the Duke" ! Marvin L. Sears MODERN
PROBLEMS I N
OPHTHALMOLOGY,
VOL. 10. SECONDARY DETACHMENT OF THE
Edited by E. B. Streiff. Basel, S. Karger, 1972. Clothbound, index, 301 black and white figures, four color fig ures, 93 tables. $44.80 In September, 1970, the Gonin Club and the Swiss Ophthalmological Society held a combined meeting dealing with the problems of secondary retinal detachment and the 10th volume of "Modern Problems in Ophthal mology" contains the papers presented at these two meetings. The great problems with which ophthal mologist and ophthalmic surgeon are faced when treating secondary retinal detachments are covered thoroughly in this volume. The authors, who are all world-renown authori ties on retinal disease, present their various views and approaches to the myriad of prob lems which can arise when retinal detach ments occur secondary to trauma, systemic disease, or inflammation. It is somewhat regretable that this volume appeared two years RETINA.
DECEMBER, 1972
after the meeting took place and, therefore, some of the novelty of many of the tech niques and approaches described in this vol ume has worn off. Nonetheless, the articles summarize lucidly and thoroughly the pres ent state of the art of handling retinal and vitreous problems which evolve secondarily. This volume should be of interest to those who wish to familiarize themselves with the difficulties and problems encountered in treating secondary retinal detachments. Tibor Farkas MODERN PROBLEMS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY, VOL. 11. ACQUIRED COLOUR VISION D E F I CIENCIES. Edited by E. B. Streiff and G.
Verriest. Basel, S. Karger, 1972. Clothbound, table of contents, index, 68 black and white figures. $20.75 This book reflects the beginning of a mo ment within ophthalmology—a movement dedicated to the analysis of acquired color deficiencies. Since the rather famous sugges tion made by Helmholtz that congenital color anomalies were possibly reduction forms of normal color vision, great attention has been directed towards daltonism as a means of de fining normal mechanisms by subtraction. Through fundus reflectometry and other fine techniques we have greatly advanced our knowledge of congenital color defects. The results have quite effectively supported Helmholtz's thesis. Most recently, through the efforts of Professors Blackwell, Alpern, Sloan, and others, congenital monochromacy has become far less mysterious. Yet, the very subtle color sense has not been well exploited in acquired color defects. The reasons for this are complex. Our tests and facilities tend to be limited ; we tend to place too much emphasis on the role of the photolabile pig ments and to direct too little concern towards other response levels mediating color vision ; we have often studied disease processes at too advanced a state, etc. Thus, a new move ment concerned with acquired color deficien cies is to be welcomed and encouraged.