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Myopia and the Control of Eye Growth
362
September, 1991
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
Pediatric Ophthalmology, ed. 3. Edited by Leonard B. Nelson, Joseph H. Calhoun, and Robison D. Harley. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Co., 1991. 532 pages, index, illustrated. $110
Reviewed by THOMAS D. FRANCE
Madison, Wisconsin
Although it was not the first book to define pediatric ophthalmology, the first edition of Harley's Pediatric Ophthalmology was certainly the most comprehensive and the second edition continued in this vein in two volumes. This third edition seems much smaller but continues to cover the wide range of topics necessary to this specialty. In addition to the three editors, there are 30 other contributors, each well qualified to discuss their assigned topic from sensory adaptations in strabismus (Marshall Parks) to pediatric neuro-ophthalmology (Robert Sergott) to uveitis in children (Conrad Giles). The topics of the role of the ophthalmologist in reading disorders (Robert Reinecke) and the ophthalmologist's role with visually impaired children (Marilyn Moller) are especially important. There have been many changes in pediatric ophthalmology since the last edition was published in 1985. The third edition includes such areas as the new classification of retinopathy of prematurity (1987) and the results of its treatment by cryotherapy (1990), magnetic resonance imaging in orbital and central nervous system disease, optic nerve decompression for chronic papilledema, and a chapter on the genetics of eye disease that relates the great strides made in our understanding of genetic factors in ocular disease. The many tables allow excellent differential diagnoses in each topic, and the complete references listed at the end of each chapter point to further readings. The book is beautifully illustrated with clinical photographs (some in color) and photomicrographs as well as line drawings to aid in identification of disease states and an understanding of pathologic conditions. This new edition deserves to take its place as a standard in pediatric ophthalmology along with its excellent predecessors.
Myopia and the Control of Eye Growth. Edited by Ciba Foundation. Somerset, New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons, 1990. 256 pages, index, illustrated $63.50
Reviewed by MARIANETTE MILLER-MEEKS
Iowa City, Iowa
The title of this book summarizes its content.
It focuses on the factors that influence eye
growth, and hence the pathogenesis of myopia. Professor Wallman's thought-provoking preface highlights the issues that prompted the symposium and primes the reader with some key questions: "If we can figure out why an eye becomes myopic when its vision is blocked (deprivational myopia), will that shed any light on the etiology of school-age myopia, and will that, in turn, lead to an effective preventative treatment for moderate myopia?" Many of these detailed papers will be hardgoing for the average ophthalmologist; however, each paper has a closing summary, and I found the panel discussions to be most valuable. The volume is rich with references and will be a good place to start looking for the literature on this subject. It is exciting to think we have progressed so far that in the next decades we may not only understand the causes of deprivational myopia, but may also have identified the agents that induce nonpathologic myopia. To be able to prescribe a neurotransmitter, a vitamin supplement, or perhaps an enzyme replacement that reduces or prevents myopia without incising or ablating the cornea is highly desirable, and may soon be within our grasp.
Books Received Clinical Tests in Ophthalmology. By M. J. E. Huber and M. H. Reacher. St. Louis, MosbyYear Book, 1990. 176 pages, index, illustrated. $40
Ophthalmologists are forever applying yet another lens or gadget to the patient's eye and peering through some new, ingenious device. Medical students tend to find the instruments intimidating and the tests arcane. The authors of this little book have deliberately, and successfully, set about demystifying the ophthalmic examination, and medical students will be grateful. Corneal Angiogenesis: A Comprehensive Critical Review. By Gordon K. Klintworth. New York, Springer-Verlag, 1991. 135 pages, index. $59
September, 1991
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
Pediatric Ophthalmology, ed. 3. Edited by Leonard B. Nelson, Joseph H. Calhoun, and Robison D. Harley. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Co., 1991. 532 pages, index, illustrated. $110
Reviewed by THOMAS D. FRANCE
Madison, Wisconsin
Although it was not the first book to define pediatric ophthalmology, the first edition of Harley's Pediatric Ophthalmology was certainly the most comprehensive and the second edition continued in this vein in two volumes. This third edition seems much smaller but continues to cover the wide range of topics necessary to this specialty. In addition to the three editors, there are 30 other contributors, each well qualified to discuss their assigned topic from sensory adaptations in strabismus (Marshall Parks) to pediatric neuro-ophthalmology (Robert Sergott) to uveitis in children (Conrad Giles). The topics of the role of the ophthalmologist in reading disorders (Robert Reinecke) and the ophthalmologist's role with visually impaired children (Marilyn Moller) are especially important. There have been many changes in pediatric ophthalmology since the last edition was published in 1985. The third edition includes such areas as the new classification of retinopathy of prematurity (1987) and the results of its treatment by cryotherapy (1990), magnetic resonance imaging in orbital and central nervous system disease, optic nerve decompression for chronic papilledema, and a chapter on the genetics of eye disease that relates the great strides made in our understanding of genetic factors in ocular disease. The many tables allow excellent differential diagnoses in each topic, and the complete references listed at the end of each chapter point to further readings. The book is beautifully illustrated with clinical photographs (some in color) and photomicrographs as well as line drawings to aid in identification of disease states and an understanding of pathologic conditions. This new edition deserves to take its place as a standard in pediatric ophthalmology along with its excellent predecessors.
Myopia and the Control of Eye Growth. Edited by Ciba Foundation. Somerset, New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons, 1990. 256 pages, index, illustrated $63.50
Reviewed by MARIANETTE MILLER-MEEKS
Iowa City, Iowa
The title of this book summarizes its content.
It focuses on the factors that influence eye
growth, and hence the pathogenesis of myopia. Professor Wallman's thought-provoking preface highlights the issues that prompted the symposium and primes the reader with some key questions: "If we can figure out why an eye becomes myopic when its vision is blocked (deprivational myopia), will that shed any light on the etiology of school-age myopia, and will that, in turn, lead to an effective preventative treatment for moderate myopia?" Many of these detailed papers will be hardgoing for the average ophthalmologist; however, each paper has a closing summary, and I found the panel discussions to be most valuable. The volume is rich with references and will be a good place to start looking for the literature on this subject. It is exciting to think we have progressed so far that in the next decades we may not only understand the causes of deprivational myopia, but may also have identified the agents that induce nonpathologic myopia. To be able to prescribe a neurotransmitter, a vitamin supplement, or perhaps an enzyme replacement that reduces or prevents myopia without incising or ablating the cornea is highly desirable, and may soon be within our grasp.
Books Received Clinical Tests in Ophthalmology. By M. J. E. Huber and M. H. Reacher. St. Louis, MosbyYear Book, 1990. 176 pages, index, illustrated. $40
Ophthalmologists are forever applying yet another lens or gadget to the patient's eye and peering through some new, ingenious device. Medical students tend to find the instruments intimidating and the tests arcane. The authors of this little book have deliberately, and successfully, set about demystifying the ophthalmic examination, and medical students will be grateful. Corneal Angiogenesis: A Comprehensive Critical Review. By Gordon K. Klintworth. New York, Springer-Verlag, 1991. 135 pages, index. $59