Ophthalmology Study Guide for Students and Practitioners of Medicine

Ophthalmology Study Guide for Students and Practitioners of Medicine

584 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY reous and Choroid; and Principles and Examples in Ophthalmic Genetics. In preparing an introductory text like ...

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AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY

reous and Choroid; and Principles and Examples in Ophthalmic Genetics. In preparing an introductory text like this, the greatest difficulty is to select all the essential information needed for an outline from the vast amount of available material. The authors of the present book­ let have not been entirely successful. They have included some unnecessary details in the discussion of some subjects, whereas others are almost totally neglect­ ed. A concise discussion of childhood cataracts, for example, should have been included. However, this is a handbook with great potential and its appearance is evidence of the continuing growth of pediatric ophthalmology as an independent subspecialty. J. R E I M E R W O L T E R

APRIL, 1979

the level of housestaff expertise. Each chapter is well referenced for those stu­ dents and residents who would pursue their particular interests. In some in­ stances the referenced literature does not carry with it quite the authority that one would like to find in a textbook. However, the up to the minute references required by the author's approach can form a con­ tinuously changing framework for future editions. The numerous references to journal articles perhaps indicate the need for authoritative updated textbooks in ophthalmology. The book is handsomely done and is infinitely readable in both a seated and supine position, a significant merit. It can easily form the basis of a library for the beginning ophthalmologist. M A R V I N L. SEARS

Ophthalmology. Principles and Con­ cepts, 4th ed. By Frank W. Newell. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby Company, 1978. Hardcover, 627 pages, glossary, index, 448 black and white figures. $27.50 It is not easy to write a text aimed at both undergraduate and graduate audi­ ences. To do so in ophthalmology is per­ haps even more difficult because of the enormous discrepancy between the kind of information required by the general practitioner for his purposes and by the ophthalmologist in his highly specialized practice. In this fourth edition of his now well known book, Dr. Newell succeeded to a high degree in grasping both horns of the dilemma. Additionally, he has tackled new and important developments in oph­ thalmology with the sophistication and competence of a master. Areas of contro­ versy surrounding new surgical tech­ niques are managed with a gentle firm­ ness that is characteristic of a physician who has superb clinical judgment. The glossary will be useful for stu­ dents. Charts and tables are detailed to

Ophthalmology Study Guide for Stu­ dents and Practitioners of Medicine. By The American Academy of Ophthal­ mology and Otolaryngology, Inc. Roch­ ester, The American Academy of Oph­ thalmology and Otolaryngology, Inc. 1978. Paperbound, 196 pages, index, 4 black and white figures, 84 color figures on Microfiche. This third edition of the Ophthal­ mology Study Guide retains the terse, easy-to-read style, and the problemoriented format of previous editions. The text covers seven basic clinical problems: visual acuity, ophthalmoscopy, glauco­ ma, red eye, injuries, neuro-ophthalmology, amblyopia, and strabismus. Each topic is outlined, with emphasis on care­ ful physical examination and interpreta­ tion of findings. A Microfiche of 84 color photographs illustrates the discussions nicely and is a valuable innovation with this edition. The guide emphasizes management and decisions concerning referral for spe­ cial study. It points out the significance of

VOL. 87, NO. 4

BOOK REVIEWS

leukocoria, the dangers of prescribing topical corticosteroids and anesthetics, and the attention warranted by a penetrat­ ing eye injury. Concise explanations are given to important but often confusing topics, such as the afferent pupillary de­ fect. A summary of ocular pharmacology is new to this edition. The book is not intended to serve as a textbook but must be read in conjunction with ophthalmology texts and self in­ structional material. Appropriate crossreferences are provided. Used in this manner, the guide is an excellent primer for the medical student and sourcebook for the primary physician. PAUL STERNBERG, JR.

Immunology of Uveitis and Ocular Tu­ mors. By Devron H. Char. New York, Grune and Stratton, Inc., 1978. Hard­ cover, 122 pages, bibliography, index, glossary, 8 tables, 16 black and white figures. $15 This slim volume is intended for the practicing ophthalmologist and vision scientist. It provides an up-to-date review of the causes of uveitis and how immu­ nology influences tumors of the eye. The first 25 pages are devoted to the basic immunologic concepts such as immunoglobulins, complement, and B- and Tcells. The bibliography is a general one for further reading rather than a referenc­ ing of statements. A nine-page chapter on HLA antigen and eye diseases with spe­ cific referencing of statements follows. The chapters on experimental models of uveitis and human uveitis, and experimen­ tal studies, are well done and give the reader a sense of comprehension in a field that is nowhere near solving the clinical problems of uveitis. Two chapters on uveitis serve as a comprehensive review of what has been done on this subject. The next two chapters deal with immuno­ logic testing that is being used in uveitis

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and the tissue poisons currently being used for treatment. These two chapters acquaint the reader with how lymphocyte function is determined, how immune complexes in the blood are measured, what cytotoxic agents are currently being tried for treatment of uveitis, and a useful list of side effects for the agents. The chapter, Ocular Tumor Immunolo­ gy, is the strongest chapter in the book. It sets forth with authoritative referencing how immunology and ocular tumors have been discovered to interact and it pro­ vides a good background on current con­ cepts of how immunology is thought to control tumors in other parts of the body. After reading this chapter, one has an optimistic view that ways will be found for immunology to control ocular tumors. The last chapter, Immunotherapy: Oc­ ular Tumors, is a balanced consideration of the ways that the immune system might be manipulated to control ocular tumors. It is really a blueprint for the future. The book ends with a glossary of 52 terms and their definitions and a sevenpage subject index. This book will stand as a comprehen­ sive review of the current status of uveitis and ocular tumors. It is recommended for practitioners interested in the state of the science and art of these two subjects and for the increasing number of visual scien­ tists interested in any aspect of immunol­ ogy of the eye. M A T H E A R. A L L A N S M I T H

Differential Diagnosis of Eye Diseases. By Hans Pau. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Co., 1978. Hardcover, 388 pages, index, 125 black and white fig­ ures, 184 color figures. $75 Professor Hans Pau, Director of the Ophthalmologie Clinic of Dusseldorf University, published this brief textbook in German in 1974. Gerhardt W. Cibis,