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Hemorrhages in Ophthalamology
VOL. 91, NO. 5
BOOK REVIEWS
anterior chamber angle structures, al though they are sometimes subtle, in all these types of glaucoma and hypothe size that the age at onset and severity of the galucoma depend on the degree of the abnormality and the degree to which the outflow channels are challenged with corticosteroids, pseudoexfoliation materi al, pigment, and so on. They fit many of the clinical manifestations and responses to medical and surgical treatment into their theory that goniodysgenesis is at fault in these types of glaucoma. The question is whether this unifying thesis will hold up when others try to confirm the findings and conclusions of the authors by their own observations. Some will reject this "new perspective" outright, because it is certainly outside the mainstream of current thinking. In any event, only a few will accept the notion without studying the matter fur ther themselves. If you are interested, read the book and make up your own mind. DOUGLAS R. ANDERSON
Hemorrhages in Ophthalamology. By Maurizio Pandolfi. Stuttgart, Georg Thieme Publishers, 1979. Softcover, 84 pages, references, index, 61 black and white illustrations. $20 This unpretentious book packs a great deal of information into relatively few pages. The author begins with a review of the mechanisms regulating hemostasis. He discusses the three basic mechanisms active in the arrest of bleeding. These are the primary vascular response, the hu moral response in which there is activa tion of the coagulation system, and the anatomic repair of the damaged vessel wall. This is logically followed by a dis cussion of disorders resulting from altera tions in the basic hemostatic mechanism. This section also includes a discussion of
685
drugs that can alter the basic hemostatic mechanisms. A section on laboratory tests reviews some of the most common coagulation and fibrinolytic tests, the principles of the tests, their indications, and the infor mation these tests can be expected to give. Those physicians who have been out of medical school for some time will find these two sections alone worth the price of the book. The section on ocular hemorrhages deals with hemorrhage into the anterior chamber, the vitreous, retina, and choroid and discusses the hemostatic mecha nism, or the lack thereof, associated with various disorders. The section on hemorrhages during ocular surgery begins, "The best screen ing method of a bleeding tendency is a detailed bleeding history." This is per haps the most important sentence in the book and one that should be remem bered. A short section on the main hemorrhagic disorders and their management in ocular surgery follows. The last section deals with retinal thromboembolism and diabetic retinopathy and should be of interest to all ophthalmologists. The references are good and provide a starting place for those interested in pursuing the various subjects in more detail. In general, this is a good little book that can be recommended to those inter ested in learning about the subject of hemorrhagic disorders in ophthalmology. The book initiates us into the subject in a way that is comprehensible and sensible. The book can be highly recommended. J. GRAHAM DOBBIE
Manual for Eye Examination and Diag nosis. By Mark W. Leitman, Samuel Gartner, and Paul Henkind. Oradell, New Jersey, Medical Economics Co.,
BOOK REVIEWS
anterior chamber angle structures, al though they are sometimes subtle, in all these types of glaucoma and hypothe size that the age at onset and severity of the galucoma depend on the degree of the abnormality and the degree to which the outflow channels are challenged with corticosteroids, pseudoexfoliation materi al, pigment, and so on. They fit many of the clinical manifestations and responses to medical and surgical treatment into their theory that goniodysgenesis is at fault in these types of glaucoma. The question is whether this unifying thesis will hold up when others try to confirm the findings and conclusions of the authors by their own observations. Some will reject this "new perspective" outright, because it is certainly outside the mainstream of current thinking. In any event, only a few will accept the notion without studying the matter fur ther themselves. If you are interested, read the book and make up your own mind. DOUGLAS R. ANDERSON
Hemorrhages in Ophthalamology. By Maurizio Pandolfi. Stuttgart, Georg Thieme Publishers, 1979. Softcover, 84 pages, references, index, 61 black and white illustrations. $20 This unpretentious book packs a great deal of information into relatively few pages. The author begins with a review of the mechanisms regulating hemostasis. He discusses the three basic mechanisms active in the arrest of bleeding. These are the primary vascular response, the hu moral response in which there is activa tion of the coagulation system, and the anatomic repair of the damaged vessel wall. This is logically followed by a dis cussion of disorders resulting from altera tions in the basic hemostatic mechanism. This section also includes a discussion of
685
drugs that can alter the basic hemostatic mechanisms. A section on laboratory tests reviews some of the most common coagulation and fibrinolytic tests, the principles of the tests, their indications, and the infor mation these tests can be expected to give. Those physicians who have been out of medical school for some time will find these two sections alone worth the price of the book. The section on ocular hemorrhages deals with hemorrhage into the anterior chamber, the vitreous, retina, and choroid and discusses the hemostatic mecha nism, or the lack thereof, associated with various disorders. The section on hemorrhages during ocular surgery begins, "The best screen ing method of a bleeding tendency is a detailed bleeding history." This is per haps the most important sentence in the book and one that should be remem bered. A short section on the main hemorrhagic disorders and their management in ocular surgery follows. The last section deals with retinal thromboembolism and diabetic retinopathy and should be of interest to all ophthalmologists. The references are good and provide a starting place for those interested in pursuing the various subjects in more detail. In general, this is a good little book that can be recommended to those inter ested in learning about the subject of hemorrhagic disorders in ophthalmology. The book initiates us into the subject in a way that is comprehensible and sensible. The book can be highly recommended. J. GRAHAM DOBBIE
Manual for Eye Examination and Diag nosis. By Mark W. Leitman, Samuel Gartner, and Paul Henkind. Oradell, New Jersey, Medical Economics Co.,