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Ophthalmology Series, vol. 2. The Eye in Chromosome Duplications and Deficiencies
752
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
teaching; most certain limited discus sions of the disease entities illustrated, and in terms of abnormalities presented they reflect the bias of the authors. By their nature, retinal diseases have such an infinite variability that an atlas can not do justice to their many permutations. This atlas suffers likewise from these shortcomings—as well as from several others. Some of these deficiencies are caused by the lack of extensive revision of the original 1963 publication for this En glish release. There is no discussion of disease enti ties and stages in a disease process are not presented. This flaw is evident in the presentation of what is termed the "wet form of arteriosclerotic chorioretinopathy," a disorder known in the United States as disciform macular degeneration. The 26 illustratrons do not provide infor mation concerning the pathogenesis of the disease. It would have been far better to have fewer pictures with explanatory notes regarding the interrelated stages of this disorder. This is likewise true of diabetes mellitus where no pictorial orga nization is attempted and no classifica tion provided. There seems to be undue repetition of certain photographs; such as 18 pictures of optic atrophy. The diseases noted next to the pictures do not begin to cover the spectrum of disorders that can cause this problem, yet the similarity of the photo graphs is obvious. Many terms used are not in vogue in this country and indeed probably un known to many of the younger ophthal mologists: tabulated fundus, fundus flavus; among others. With these disclaimers aside, the atlas is the work of three outstanding German ophthalmologists. Most of the photo graphs are of good quality. With the prop er supervision a younger ophthalmologist might profitably use this book in conjunc
NOVEMBER, 1977
tion with other texts where the emphasis is more on the pathogenic processes. R O N A L D E. C A R R
Ophthalmology Series, vol. 2. The Eye in Chromosome Duplications and Defi ciencies. By Marcelle Jay. New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1977. Clothbound, 264 pages, table of contents, author index, subject index, 35 tables, 29 black and white figures. $22.50 The author provides information gath ered from published reports on ocular abnormalities found in various chromo somal disorders. The first chapter con tains a useful, although somewhat abbre viated, introduction to cell biology and cytogenetics which should be helpful to those not actively working in the field. There is also a mixed glossary of genetic and ophthalmological terms. The major contribution of this publica tion is the inclusion of numerous tables containing the clincal characteristics of all reported cases together with appropri ate references. Chromosomal abnormali ties are categorized in six chapters dealing with deficiencies of chromosomes in spe cific groups plus a chapter on monosomy X, another one on duplications which include trisomies, one on balanced translocations, and a final one on aneuploid translocations. The accompanying text is mainly a condensation of clinical features reported in some instances with calculat ed frequencies. The illustrations accom panying the text graphically illustrate ap propriate points. This reference book is especially valua ble for its presentation in tabular form of the many unusual cases published of chromosomal abnormalities. The text will have limited application in general oph thalmological practice although it will be helpful to ophthalmologists who see
VOL. 84, NO. 5
BOOK REVIEWS
many pediatrie patients in an institutional setting. H A R O L D E. C R O S S
Stereoscopic Atlas of Macular Dis eases—Diagnosis and Treatment, 2nd ed. By J. Donald M. Gass. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby Co., 1977. Clothbound, 410 pages, table of contents, index, 951 black and white figures, 19 color ViewMaster reels. $65 This second edition of the "Atlas on Macular Diseases" is now so rich in infor mation that one feels the term "atlas" does not convey all this unusual and extraordinarily readable book has to offer. The author has retained the sequence of the first 12 chapters of the first edition and has added an entirely new 13th chapter on photocoagulation treatment of macular disease. The general principles of photocoagulation, the types of photocoagulators, and the techniques of the surgical procedures are well outlined. Dr. Gass emphasizes the need for careful preopera tive photographic studies to aid in the proper selection of patients. Drawing from his rich personal experience the au thor discμsses the pros and cons of the various methods of phototherapy as suit ed to specific cases. The pathologic processes affecting the pigment epithelium, and the vitreoretinal disorders are particularly outstanding presentations. One of the most fascinat ing features of this book is the wealth of correlated clinical material and histopathologic material, the latter being notori ously difficult to obtain. Almost without exception, the black and white fundus photographs are excel lent. The stereoscopic color views are an extra bonus although not essential for comprehension of the text. It is difficult to
753
find a viewer which does justice to the otherwise beautiful color slides. As an intuitive, experienced teacher Dr. Gass uses diagrams freely to enhance basic information. This beautiful, updat ed and enlarged second edition should be useful to the researcher, the clinician, and the teacher interested in the retina. B E R T H A A. K L I E N
Diabetic Retinopathy. By Alberto Urrets-Zavalia. Paris, Masson, 1977. Clothbound, 126 pages, table of con tents, index, 7 tables, 117 black and white figures. The monograph prepared by UrretsZavalia describes the author's personal experiences in his diagnosis and manage ment of patients with diabetic retinopa thy. This timely report contains useful information for the clinician responsible for the care of patients with diabetic reti nopathy. The introductory chapter, "Prevalence and import of diabetic retinopathy," pro vides a precise and succinct description of the problem with statistical data not readily available to practicing ophthal mologists. The other chapters discuss the nature and pathogenesis of retinopathy. The dis cussion of the author's photocoagulation methods used in the treatment of retinop athy patients is well written. The illus trations are well selected and of good quality. The author's modest statement in his preface deserves quoting: Lest someone be so inclined as to credit, or charge me with too high an ambition, let me make clear from the start that this is not a treatise on diabetic retinopathy. It is only a brief account of my personal experience with the management of the condition. I am neither a pathologist nor a biochemist and this small volume does not claim to be a source of infor mation for anyone whose interests are not clini-
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
teaching; most certain limited discus sions of the disease entities illustrated, and in terms of abnormalities presented they reflect the bias of the authors. By their nature, retinal diseases have such an infinite variability that an atlas can not do justice to their many permutations. This atlas suffers likewise from these shortcomings—as well as from several others. Some of these deficiencies are caused by the lack of extensive revision of the original 1963 publication for this En glish release. There is no discussion of disease enti ties and stages in a disease process are not presented. This flaw is evident in the presentation of what is termed the "wet form of arteriosclerotic chorioretinopathy," a disorder known in the United States as disciform macular degeneration. The 26 illustratrons do not provide infor mation concerning the pathogenesis of the disease. It would have been far better to have fewer pictures with explanatory notes regarding the interrelated stages of this disorder. This is likewise true of diabetes mellitus where no pictorial orga nization is attempted and no classifica tion provided. There seems to be undue repetition of certain photographs; such as 18 pictures of optic atrophy. The diseases noted next to the pictures do not begin to cover the spectrum of disorders that can cause this problem, yet the similarity of the photo graphs is obvious. Many terms used are not in vogue in this country and indeed probably un known to many of the younger ophthal mologists: tabulated fundus, fundus flavus; among others. With these disclaimers aside, the atlas is the work of three outstanding German ophthalmologists. Most of the photo graphs are of good quality. With the prop er supervision a younger ophthalmologist might profitably use this book in conjunc
NOVEMBER, 1977
tion with other texts where the emphasis is more on the pathogenic processes. R O N A L D E. C A R R
Ophthalmology Series, vol. 2. The Eye in Chromosome Duplications and Defi ciencies. By Marcelle Jay. New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1977. Clothbound, 264 pages, table of contents, author index, subject index, 35 tables, 29 black and white figures. $22.50 The author provides information gath ered from published reports on ocular abnormalities found in various chromo somal disorders. The first chapter con tains a useful, although somewhat abbre viated, introduction to cell biology and cytogenetics which should be helpful to those not actively working in the field. There is also a mixed glossary of genetic and ophthalmological terms. The major contribution of this publica tion is the inclusion of numerous tables containing the clincal characteristics of all reported cases together with appropri ate references. Chromosomal abnormali ties are categorized in six chapters dealing with deficiencies of chromosomes in spe cific groups plus a chapter on monosomy X, another one on duplications which include trisomies, one on balanced translocations, and a final one on aneuploid translocations. The accompanying text is mainly a condensation of clinical features reported in some instances with calculat ed frequencies. The illustrations accom panying the text graphically illustrate ap propriate points. This reference book is especially valua ble for its presentation in tabular form of the many unusual cases published of chromosomal abnormalities. The text will have limited application in general oph thalmological practice although it will be helpful to ophthalmologists who see
VOL. 84, NO. 5
BOOK REVIEWS
many pediatrie patients in an institutional setting. H A R O L D E. C R O S S
Stereoscopic Atlas of Macular Dis eases—Diagnosis and Treatment, 2nd ed. By J. Donald M. Gass. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby Co., 1977. Clothbound, 410 pages, table of contents, index, 951 black and white figures, 19 color ViewMaster reels. $65 This second edition of the "Atlas on Macular Diseases" is now so rich in infor mation that one feels the term "atlas" does not convey all this unusual and extraordinarily readable book has to offer. The author has retained the sequence of the first 12 chapters of the first edition and has added an entirely new 13th chapter on photocoagulation treatment of macular disease. The general principles of photocoagulation, the types of photocoagulators, and the techniques of the surgical procedures are well outlined. Dr. Gass emphasizes the need for careful preopera tive photographic studies to aid in the proper selection of patients. Drawing from his rich personal experience the au thor discμsses the pros and cons of the various methods of phototherapy as suit ed to specific cases. The pathologic processes affecting the pigment epithelium, and the vitreoretinal disorders are particularly outstanding presentations. One of the most fascinat ing features of this book is the wealth of correlated clinical material and histopathologic material, the latter being notori ously difficult to obtain. Almost without exception, the black and white fundus photographs are excel lent. The stereoscopic color views are an extra bonus although not essential for comprehension of the text. It is difficult to
753
find a viewer which does justice to the otherwise beautiful color slides. As an intuitive, experienced teacher Dr. Gass uses diagrams freely to enhance basic information. This beautiful, updat ed and enlarged second edition should be useful to the researcher, the clinician, and the teacher interested in the retina. B E R T H A A. K L I E N
Diabetic Retinopathy. By Alberto Urrets-Zavalia. Paris, Masson, 1977. Clothbound, 126 pages, table of con tents, index, 7 tables, 117 black and white figures. The monograph prepared by UrretsZavalia describes the author's personal experiences in his diagnosis and manage ment of patients with diabetic retinopa thy. This timely report contains useful information for the clinician responsible for the care of patients with diabetic reti nopathy. The introductory chapter, "Prevalence and import of diabetic retinopathy," pro vides a precise and succinct description of the problem with statistical data not readily available to practicing ophthal mologists. The other chapters discuss the nature and pathogenesis of retinopathy. The dis cussion of the author's photocoagulation methods used in the treatment of retinop athy patients is well written. The illus trations are well selected and of good quality. The author's modest statement in his preface deserves quoting: Lest someone be so inclined as to credit, or charge me with too high an ambition, let me make clear from the start that this is not a treatise on diabetic retinopathy. It is only a brief account of my personal experience with the management of the condition. I am neither a pathologist nor a biochemist and this small volume does not claim to be a source of infor mation for anyone whose interests are not clini-