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Diabetic Retinopathy. Sights and Sounds in Ophthalmology
VOL. 90, NO. 5
BOOK REVIEWS
endophthalmitis. It includes a general review of corticosteroids and the diagnostic and therapeutic use of drugs in strabismus. Several good sections deal with toxic drug responses of the retina and optic nerve. One covers the treatment of glaucoma with echothiophate, timolol, and dipivalyl epinephrine. Additionally, there are a number of relatively brief reviews of other subjects. The book is not sufficiently comprehensive to serve as a reference text on ocular therapy, but the subjects listed above are clearly and effectively reviewed. Perhaps future editions will be expanded to offer more complete coverage of available drugs and their use in ophthalmic therapy. WILLIAM H. HAVENER Microsurgery of Retinal Detachment. By Mireille Bonnet. Translated by Alexander J. Brucker. ~ ew York, Masson Publishing USA, Inc., 1980. Hardcover, 79 pages, references, index, 216 black and white figures. $24.50 This short book describing vitreoretinal surgery using the surgical microscope is divided into two major sectionsinstrumentation and surgical technique. The first section briefly catalogues and illustrates a number of available instruments as well as those preferred by the author. The second section, illustrated in great detail, describes Bonnet's surgical techniques. The sequence of surgical steps is somewhat disrupted by a division into surgical "stages," some of which require simultaneous fundus observation and some of which do not. The topics covered are broad and some are treated too cursorily. In other places the discussion is based upon a review of published reports rather than on Bonnet's own experience. This may be misleading; for example, the
743
reader may assume that a carbon dioxide laser is more available for coagulating blood vessels in retinal fibrovascular tissue than it actually is. The Goldmann three-mirror contact lens and slit-lamp examination of the fundus should be used before surgery for retinal detachments, but they are not necessary for every patient. The Goldmann contact lens examination has long been used as an alternative to indirect ophthalmoscopy. In patients with questionable retinal lesions, a Goldmann three-mirror contact lens examination, with or without scleral indentation, may be used preoperatively to evaluate the importance of the lesion. Some of Bonnet's arguments with respect to the advantages of Goldmann contact lens surgery versus surgery using the indirect ophthalmoscope are debatable, however. One must carefully select the patients who will really benefit. For vitreous surgery the operating microscope is essential, whereas in most cases of retinal detachment surgery it is unnecessary. One great advantage of indirect ophthalmoscopy during surgery for retinal detachment is the panoramic view of the fundus that it provides. The use of methylcellulose 2% or other contact lens solutions, however, makes indirect ophthalmoscopy difficult at times, even after copious irrigation of the cornea. In summary, this book provides an alternative approach to surgery for retinal detachment in some cases. PETER H. MORSE Diabetic Retinopathy. Sights and Sounds in Ophthalmology. Vol. 4. By Stuart L. Fine and Arnall Patz. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby Co., 1980. Hardcover, 61 pages, bibliography, index, three cassette tapes, 100 color slides. $175 This volume contains a comprehensive presentation of the Wilmer Retinal Vascu-
744
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
lar Service's clinical approach to diabetic retinopathy. The slides are generally well done and the entire set of 100 will be of considerable value to residents and practicing general ophthalmologists who seek an extensive, clinically oriented review of the current management of diabetic retinopathy. Those who devote much of their time to the care of patients with diabetic retinopathy will also find much of interest in this presentation, particularly the discussion of retreatment by photocoagulation of eyes with incomplete regression of new vessels after initial treatment and the section on other retinal vascular disorders. The case of systemic lupus erythematosus shown in slide No. 89 is particularly fascinating. MATTHEW D. DAVIS
Lentes de Contacto. By E. Gil del Rio and P. Baronet. Barcelona, Editorial JIMS, 1980. Hardcover, 515 pages, index, 46 tables, 223 black and white figures, 67 color figures. This book on contact lenses is beautifully made; the print is clear and well organized and the color plates are excellent. According to the authors, the purpose of the book was not only to inform readers about contact lenses but to emphasize corneal physiology and pathology related to contact lenses. Of the 28 chapters, six concern the anatomy and physiology of the eye. Nine chapters are dedicated to clinical procedures, including special methods of examining the cornea before contact lens adaptation. The authors also describe the different materials used for the preparation of contact lenses, the prescription of the various types of contact lenses, and the methods used to design and adapt different types of lenses. Because of the importance of soft contact lenses today, they discuss the properties and characteristics of different types of soft contact lenses.
NOVEMBER, 1980
These include the different complications caused by this type of lens and the alterations in the structure of the soft contact lenses seen in clinical practice. There is also a chapter on the use of permanent or extended-wear contact lenses; however, the authors' experience with this type oflens seems to be limited. They do not describe the cases where these types of lenses are indicated or the complications seen with the extendedwear contact lens. The chapters dealing with the anatomy and physiology of the eye, particularly of the cornea, are excellent and the authors have done a very good job of reviewing recently published data. The chapters are profusely illustrated with diagrams and drawings that facilitate the assimilation of the material. This system and a good index help the reader locate a particular subject. The book has been based primarily on the experience of the authors and the references are limited. Unfortunately, the references in the text use only the date of publication to identify the source. The book lacks a list of references or bibliography. Overall, this is a very good book. It presents the practical experience of the authors who have a conservative approach to this specialty. The book is recommended to all students of the art of contact-lens fitting. FRANK M. POLACK Surgery of Ptosis. By Sidney A. Fox. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins Co., 1980. Hardcover, index, 119 black and white figures. $29.95 This well-written monograph discusses the history, theory, and practice ofblepharoptosis surgery. The first chapter gives a brief history of the various techniques used throughout the years to correct blepharoptosis. In the following chapters he classifies types of blepharoptosis and
BOOK REVIEWS
endophthalmitis. It includes a general review of corticosteroids and the diagnostic and therapeutic use of drugs in strabismus. Several good sections deal with toxic drug responses of the retina and optic nerve. One covers the treatment of glaucoma with echothiophate, timolol, and dipivalyl epinephrine. Additionally, there are a number of relatively brief reviews of other subjects. The book is not sufficiently comprehensive to serve as a reference text on ocular therapy, but the subjects listed above are clearly and effectively reviewed. Perhaps future editions will be expanded to offer more complete coverage of available drugs and their use in ophthalmic therapy. WILLIAM H. HAVENER Microsurgery of Retinal Detachment. By Mireille Bonnet. Translated by Alexander J. Brucker. ~ ew York, Masson Publishing USA, Inc., 1980. Hardcover, 79 pages, references, index, 216 black and white figures. $24.50 This short book describing vitreoretinal surgery using the surgical microscope is divided into two major sectionsinstrumentation and surgical technique. The first section briefly catalogues and illustrates a number of available instruments as well as those preferred by the author. The second section, illustrated in great detail, describes Bonnet's surgical techniques. The sequence of surgical steps is somewhat disrupted by a division into surgical "stages," some of which require simultaneous fundus observation and some of which do not. The topics covered are broad and some are treated too cursorily. In other places the discussion is based upon a review of published reports rather than on Bonnet's own experience. This may be misleading; for example, the
743
reader may assume that a carbon dioxide laser is more available for coagulating blood vessels in retinal fibrovascular tissue than it actually is. The Goldmann three-mirror contact lens and slit-lamp examination of the fundus should be used before surgery for retinal detachments, but they are not necessary for every patient. The Goldmann contact lens examination has long been used as an alternative to indirect ophthalmoscopy. In patients with questionable retinal lesions, a Goldmann three-mirror contact lens examination, with or without scleral indentation, may be used preoperatively to evaluate the importance of the lesion. Some of Bonnet's arguments with respect to the advantages of Goldmann contact lens surgery versus surgery using the indirect ophthalmoscope are debatable, however. One must carefully select the patients who will really benefit. For vitreous surgery the operating microscope is essential, whereas in most cases of retinal detachment surgery it is unnecessary. One great advantage of indirect ophthalmoscopy during surgery for retinal detachment is the panoramic view of the fundus that it provides. The use of methylcellulose 2% or other contact lens solutions, however, makes indirect ophthalmoscopy difficult at times, even after copious irrigation of the cornea. In summary, this book provides an alternative approach to surgery for retinal detachment in some cases. PETER H. MORSE Diabetic Retinopathy. Sights and Sounds in Ophthalmology. Vol. 4. By Stuart L. Fine and Arnall Patz. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby Co., 1980. Hardcover, 61 pages, bibliography, index, three cassette tapes, 100 color slides. $175 This volume contains a comprehensive presentation of the Wilmer Retinal Vascu-
744
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
lar Service's clinical approach to diabetic retinopathy. The slides are generally well done and the entire set of 100 will be of considerable value to residents and practicing general ophthalmologists who seek an extensive, clinically oriented review of the current management of diabetic retinopathy. Those who devote much of their time to the care of patients with diabetic retinopathy will also find much of interest in this presentation, particularly the discussion of retreatment by photocoagulation of eyes with incomplete regression of new vessels after initial treatment and the section on other retinal vascular disorders. The case of systemic lupus erythematosus shown in slide No. 89 is particularly fascinating. MATTHEW D. DAVIS
Lentes de Contacto. By E. Gil del Rio and P. Baronet. Barcelona, Editorial JIMS, 1980. Hardcover, 515 pages, index, 46 tables, 223 black and white figures, 67 color figures. This book on contact lenses is beautifully made; the print is clear and well organized and the color plates are excellent. According to the authors, the purpose of the book was not only to inform readers about contact lenses but to emphasize corneal physiology and pathology related to contact lenses. Of the 28 chapters, six concern the anatomy and physiology of the eye. Nine chapters are dedicated to clinical procedures, including special methods of examining the cornea before contact lens adaptation. The authors also describe the different materials used for the preparation of contact lenses, the prescription of the various types of contact lenses, and the methods used to design and adapt different types of lenses. Because of the importance of soft contact lenses today, they discuss the properties and characteristics of different types of soft contact lenses.
NOVEMBER, 1980
These include the different complications caused by this type of lens and the alterations in the structure of the soft contact lenses seen in clinical practice. There is also a chapter on the use of permanent or extended-wear contact lenses; however, the authors' experience with this type oflens seems to be limited. They do not describe the cases where these types of lenses are indicated or the complications seen with the extendedwear contact lens. The chapters dealing with the anatomy and physiology of the eye, particularly of the cornea, are excellent and the authors have done a very good job of reviewing recently published data. The chapters are profusely illustrated with diagrams and drawings that facilitate the assimilation of the material. This system and a good index help the reader locate a particular subject. The book has been based primarily on the experience of the authors and the references are limited. Unfortunately, the references in the text use only the date of publication to identify the source. The book lacks a list of references or bibliography. Overall, this is a very good book. It presents the practical experience of the authors who have a conservative approach to this specialty. The book is recommended to all students of the art of contact-lens fitting. FRANK M. POLACK Surgery of Ptosis. By Sidney A. Fox. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins Co., 1980. Hardcover, index, 119 black and white figures. $29.95 This well-written monograph discusses the history, theory, and practice ofblepharoptosis surgery. The first chapter gives a brief history of the various techniques used throughout the years to correct blepharoptosis. In the following chapters he classifies types of blepharoptosis and