- Email: [email protected]
Surgical Pharmacology of the Eye
Book Reviews
Vol. 101, No. 1
Reviewed by ARTHUR S. GROVE, Boston, Massachusetts
JR.
Maxillofacial Injuries is a two-volume work of more than 1,000 pages. The editors state that they wish to provide a basis of applied anatomy and to guide the readers along steps from injury through treatment and rehabilitation. Although it is excellent in many respects, it suffers from the lack of uniformity and quality that often results from having 45 separate authors. The best portions of this work are those that describe zygomatic and mandibular injuries, bony reconstruction, and correction of residual maxillary deformities. The ophthalmologist interested in these areas will find this work beneficial as a reference text. However, some sections that deal with injuries involving the orbit, the eyelids, and the lacrimal system are less useful and occasionally are outdated. A section on "Fractures of the zygomatic complex and orbit" by one of the editors, N. L. Rowe, contains descriptions of orbital, eyelid, and lacrimal anatomy valuable for any surgical specialist. This section is also useful as a guide to the management of malar as well as orbital wall injuries. This text can be a guide to assist in the management of complex facial injuries.
Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility. Theory and Management of Strabismus, 3rd ed. By Gunter K. von Noorden. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 1985.500 pages, index, 498 illustrations. $69.95
Reviewed by EUGENE M. HELVESTON and GHISLAIN BOUDREAULT Indianapolis, Indiana In the field of disorders of ocular motility and strabismus, this textbook remains the most complete reference of its kind. In the third edition the author has not made any major changes in the format of his excellent text. He has, however, updated the older photographs and drawings which, in previous editions, emphasized the dual authorship and the arbitrary division of the book into two parts. This has given the third edition a unity which earlier editions lacked.
135
The book is divided into four parts. The first two parts, originally written by the late Hermann Burian, have been revised by Dr. von Noorden. They address anatomy and physiology with in-depth coverage of the classification of neuromuscular anomalies of the eye, together with a thorough discussion of examination techniques. In his revision of these sections, Dr. von Noorden has respectfully retained the basic ideas of Dr. Burian while bringing up-todate some of the concepts related to stereopsis, anatomy, and physiology. For example, Dr. von Noorden has included newer concepts of the anatomy of the superior oblique tendon and trochlea. He has also described variations in medial rectus insertion sites and discussed their relationship both to surgical planning and to other characteristics of the eye such as refractive error. In Part 2 there is a revised section on the testing of visual acuity in infants. The third and fourth sections of the book offer a practical approach to the management of ocular motility disorders. They cover the causes, problems, findings, and treatment of most of the oculomotor anomalies that the ophthalmologist will encounter in practice. The updating includes a new description of "manifest latent nystagmus" and a small section on the use of botulinum toxin. It is very difficult to criticize such a complete work. Space might have been found for more discussion of the supranuclear control of eye movements, for more emphasis on the errors induced by measuring deviations with prisms when the patient is wearing spectacles, and for more on the use of botulinum A toxin, but the strength of this text is its consistently logical approach to the management of ocular motility problems. This book will undoubtedly remain a classic, and we recommend it highly to all ophthalmologists interested in ocular motility and strabismus.
Surgical Pharmacology of the Eye. Edited by Marvin L. Sears and Ahti Tarkkanen. New York, Raven Press, 1985. 608 pages, index, illustrated. $59.50
Reviewed by PHILIP P. ELLIS Denver, Colorado
136
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
The scope of this book is much broader than suggested in the title. Although many chapters are directly related to surgical pharmacology, such as the chapters on viscoelastic substances, other chapters have little to do with pharmacology; for example, the excellent chapter on radiation therapy of ocular and adnexal tumors. This book is the outgrowth of a symposium held in Porvoo, Finland. The editors have divided it into three general sections: (1) a general section in which pharmacologic reviews of analgesics, anesthetics, antibiotics, antiinflammatories, immunosuppressives, and the toxicology of surgical ocular drugs are presented; (2) a section dealing with specific problems of intraocular surgery including a wide range of topics such as retinal phototoxicity, tissue adhesives, enzymes, lens replacement, hemostasis methods, and irrigating solutions; and (3) a section reviewing the pharmacology of certain medications used in strabismus, cornea, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal and vitreal surgery. The editors have provided commentaries with each chapter. Some of these comments emphasize the clinical importance of the material in the chapter, others provide background for the chapter, still others are tangential to the chapter and present the editors' interests and studies on the subject. I was particularly impressed with the extensive review of the toxicology of intraoperative pharmacologic agents offered by John Woog and Daniel Albert. Irving H. Leopold comprehensively reviews steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on useful enzymes; the beautiful description of alpha-chymotrypsin is the highlight of the book. This volume is an important contribution. It contains important information that is not easily available and is widely scattered throughout the literature. Clinical ophthalmologists as well as researchers will find this to be a valuable reference.
Recognizing Patterns of Ocular Childhood Diseases. By Leonard B. Nelson, Gary C. Brown, and Juan J. Arentsen. Thorofare, New Jersey, Slack Incorporated, 1985. 187 pages, illustrated. $60
January, 1986
Reviewed by Earl A. Palmer Portland, Oregon This small volume (about 17 x 25 cm) is organized as an atlas of selected eye disorders of childhood, and is intended as a concise update for ophthalmologists in training or practice. Photographs showing one or more aspects of each entity are accompanied by brief descriptions of clinical characteristics (including both ophthalmic and systemic manifestations), etiology, heredity, and management. Several bibliographic references are included for each entity. The disorders are categorized into 15 sections, which are presented in a logical sequence. Whenever information about a complex subject is written in telegraphic style, the author must almost brutally exclude qualifiers, alternatives, and pertinent details. However, the authors of this book have acknowledged most important areas of controversy, while still providing the reader with recommendations for diagnosis and management. Illustrations are well chosen and generally of very good quality. In a few instances, the authors presume that the reader knows where to look in the photographs. For example, the appearance of breaks in Descemet's membrane is somewhat obscure in comparison with prominent corneal light reflections, and the photograph of posterior embryotoxon is difficult to interpret. An arrow or two on these photographs would be helpful to the uninitiated. The subject matter chosen for this book includes both common and uncommon conditions. The subject of exotropia, however, does not lend itself to an abbreviated presentation and, for the ophthalmic reader, it could have been omitted. Perhaps it was included for the benefit of pediatricians, who may also find this book useful. Many sections were outstanding; for example, those on vitreous, optic disk, and retina. In all sections, the material is factual, and any substantive criticisms would relate either to the inevitable omissions inherent in an atlas format, or to a very few subjects of controversy where the authors chose to present their personal viewpoint only. This book will be interesting reading for ophthalmology residents and for practicing ophthalmologists who want an update on pediatric ophthalmology, and it will be a quick reference for pediatricians.
Vol. 101, No. 1
Reviewed by ARTHUR S. GROVE, Boston, Massachusetts
JR.
Maxillofacial Injuries is a two-volume work of more than 1,000 pages. The editors state that they wish to provide a basis of applied anatomy and to guide the readers along steps from injury through treatment and rehabilitation. Although it is excellent in many respects, it suffers from the lack of uniformity and quality that often results from having 45 separate authors. The best portions of this work are those that describe zygomatic and mandibular injuries, bony reconstruction, and correction of residual maxillary deformities. The ophthalmologist interested in these areas will find this work beneficial as a reference text. However, some sections that deal with injuries involving the orbit, the eyelids, and the lacrimal system are less useful and occasionally are outdated. A section on "Fractures of the zygomatic complex and orbit" by one of the editors, N. L. Rowe, contains descriptions of orbital, eyelid, and lacrimal anatomy valuable for any surgical specialist. This section is also useful as a guide to the management of malar as well as orbital wall injuries. This text can be a guide to assist in the management of complex facial injuries.
Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility. Theory and Management of Strabismus, 3rd ed. By Gunter K. von Noorden. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 1985.500 pages, index, 498 illustrations. $69.95
Reviewed by EUGENE M. HELVESTON and GHISLAIN BOUDREAULT Indianapolis, Indiana In the field of disorders of ocular motility and strabismus, this textbook remains the most complete reference of its kind. In the third edition the author has not made any major changes in the format of his excellent text. He has, however, updated the older photographs and drawings which, in previous editions, emphasized the dual authorship and the arbitrary division of the book into two parts. This has given the third edition a unity which earlier editions lacked.
135
The book is divided into four parts. The first two parts, originally written by the late Hermann Burian, have been revised by Dr. von Noorden. They address anatomy and physiology with in-depth coverage of the classification of neuromuscular anomalies of the eye, together with a thorough discussion of examination techniques. In his revision of these sections, Dr. von Noorden has respectfully retained the basic ideas of Dr. Burian while bringing up-todate some of the concepts related to stereopsis, anatomy, and physiology. For example, Dr. von Noorden has included newer concepts of the anatomy of the superior oblique tendon and trochlea. He has also described variations in medial rectus insertion sites and discussed their relationship both to surgical planning and to other characteristics of the eye such as refractive error. In Part 2 there is a revised section on the testing of visual acuity in infants. The third and fourth sections of the book offer a practical approach to the management of ocular motility disorders. They cover the causes, problems, findings, and treatment of most of the oculomotor anomalies that the ophthalmologist will encounter in practice. The updating includes a new description of "manifest latent nystagmus" and a small section on the use of botulinum toxin. It is very difficult to criticize such a complete work. Space might have been found for more discussion of the supranuclear control of eye movements, for more emphasis on the errors induced by measuring deviations with prisms when the patient is wearing spectacles, and for more on the use of botulinum A toxin, but the strength of this text is its consistently logical approach to the management of ocular motility problems. This book will undoubtedly remain a classic, and we recommend it highly to all ophthalmologists interested in ocular motility and strabismus.
Surgical Pharmacology of the Eye. Edited by Marvin L. Sears and Ahti Tarkkanen. New York, Raven Press, 1985. 608 pages, index, illustrated. $59.50
Reviewed by PHILIP P. ELLIS Denver, Colorado
136
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
The scope of this book is much broader than suggested in the title. Although many chapters are directly related to surgical pharmacology, such as the chapters on viscoelastic substances, other chapters have little to do with pharmacology; for example, the excellent chapter on radiation therapy of ocular and adnexal tumors. This book is the outgrowth of a symposium held in Porvoo, Finland. The editors have divided it into three general sections: (1) a general section in which pharmacologic reviews of analgesics, anesthetics, antibiotics, antiinflammatories, immunosuppressives, and the toxicology of surgical ocular drugs are presented; (2) a section dealing with specific problems of intraocular surgery including a wide range of topics such as retinal phototoxicity, tissue adhesives, enzymes, lens replacement, hemostasis methods, and irrigating solutions; and (3) a section reviewing the pharmacology of certain medications used in strabismus, cornea, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal and vitreal surgery. The editors have provided commentaries with each chapter. Some of these comments emphasize the clinical importance of the material in the chapter, others provide background for the chapter, still others are tangential to the chapter and present the editors' interests and studies on the subject. I was particularly impressed with the extensive review of the toxicology of intraoperative pharmacologic agents offered by John Woog and Daniel Albert. Irving H. Leopold comprehensively reviews steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on useful enzymes; the beautiful description of alpha-chymotrypsin is the highlight of the book. This volume is an important contribution. It contains important information that is not easily available and is widely scattered throughout the literature. Clinical ophthalmologists as well as researchers will find this to be a valuable reference.
Recognizing Patterns of Ocular Childhood Diseases. By Leonard B. Nelson, Gary C. Brown, and Juan J. Arentsen. Thorofare, New Jersey, Slack Incorporated, 1985. 187 pages, illustrated. $60
January, 1986
Reviewed by Earl A. Palmer Portland, Oregon This small volume (about 17 x 25 cm) is organized as an atlas of selected eye disorders of childhood, and is intended as a concise update for ophthalmologists in training or practice. Photographs showing one or more aspects of each entity are accompanied by brief descriptions of clinical characteristics (including both ophthalmic and systemic manifestations), etiology, heredity, and management. Several bibliographic references are included for each entity. The disorders are categorized into 15 sections, which are presented in a logical sequence. Whenever information about a complex subject is written in telegraphic style, the author must almost brutally exclude qualifiers, alternatives, and pertinent details. However, the authors of this book have acknowledged most important areas of controversy, while still providing the reader with recommendations for diagnosis and management. Illustrations are well chosen and generally of very good quality. In a few instances, the authors presume that the reader knows where to look in the photographs. For example, the appearance of breaks in Descemet's membrane is somewhat obscure in comparison with prominent corneal light reflections, and the photograph of posterior embryotoxon is difficult to interpret. An arrow or two on these photographs would be helpful to the uninitiated. The subject matter chosen for this book includes both common and uncommon conditions. The subject of exotropia, however, does not lend itself to an abbreviated presentation and, for the ophthalmic reader, it could have been omitted. Perhaps it was included for the benefit of pediatricians, who may also find this book useful. Many sections were outstanding; for example, those on vitreous, optic disk, and retina. In all sections, the material is factual, and any substantive criticisms would relate either to the inevitable omissions inherent in an atlas format, or to a very few subjects of controversy where the authors chose to present their personal viewpoint only. This book will be interesting reading for ophthalmology residents and for practicing ophthalmologists who want an update on pediatric ophthalmology, and it will be a quick reference for pediatricians.