BOOK
REVIEWS
Edited by H. Stanley Thompson, M.D.
Overall, this book is a good source of information for those interested in learning ophthalmic photography. A strength of this textbook is its listing of the steps necessary to carry out most ophthalmic photographic procedures. Much of the text is presented in a buoyant, somewhat informal style, reflecting the authors' enthusiasm for the subject.
Ophthalmic Photography. By J. Michael Coppinger, Mark Maio, and Kirby Miller. Thorofare, New Jersey, Slack Inc., 1988. Softcover, 134 pages, index, illustrated. $35
Reviewed by CSABA L. MARTONYI AmI Arbor, Michigan Written as one of 12 in a series on ophthalmic technical skills, this is also a complete, standalone text on ophthalmic photography. It begins beautifully with an introduction to the basic principles of light as the fundamental element of photography. A refreshing amount of technical information is presented in a matrix of readable, user-friendly text. This is followed by a thorough description of the basic 35-mm camera and its use. Other fundamentals of photography are also covered and provide an all-important foundation for the subjects that follow. Patient photography is addressed in all major applications. Modalities covered include external and slit-lamp photography, endothelial specular micrography, fundus photography (including stereoscopic), and fluorescein angiography. A chapter is devoted to each, and all are discussed in good detail and well supported with illustrations. Black and white film processing is also presented in a brief chapter. The contra indications to fluorescein angiography and the medical intervention for reactions to intravenous fluorescein are somewhat aggressively detailed in a text written specifically for technicians. The wording used might, inadvertently, suggest that a technician assume a greater level of responsibility than may be appropriate. Many errors, both typographical and technical, were found. Without correction, some may prove confusing for the novice. However, some corrections have already been made and reprinted pages are available from the publisher or the first author. Further corrections are planned. The binding of this book facilitates replacement of pages. This work is not referenced. The authors have elected, instead, to provide a short reading list of publications on related subjects under" Additional Sources of Information."
Textbook of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. By Roger Kohn. Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1988. 344 pages, index, illustrated. $95
Reviewed by ROBERT C. KERSTEN Cincinnati, Ohio This book is intended as a comprehensive guide to ophthalmic plastic, reconstructive, and orbital surgery. It begins with general chapters on anatomy, physiology, and basic surgical principles, followed by specific chapters dealing with the diagnosis and management of congenital and acquired ophthalmic plastic abnormalities. These include congenital anomalies of the eyelid and socket, craniofacial abnormalities, blepharoptosis, thyroid ophthalmopathy/ ectropion, entropion, blepharoplasty/ eyelid reconstruction, conjunctival surgery, the anophthalmic socket, the lacrimal system, essential blepharospasm, orbital tumors/ and orbital fractures. Dr. Kohn, an experienced ophthalmic plastic surgeon, is the author of all of the chapters except those concerning craniofacial abnormalities (Andrew Choy) and orbital tumors (James Orcutt). Each chapter is organized to present the pathophysiology/ differential diagnosis, evaluation/ and management of the various disorders. The book is written in an easy-to-read style and the accompanying illustrations are handsomely drawn. The techniques described are those currently used by Dr. Kohn. Generally/ he has succeeded in the difficult task of providing succinct, detailed descriptions of the steps in the various surgical procedures. How94
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ever, the book relies exclusively on drawings to demonstrate surgical procedures rather than on intraoperative photographs. At times, the illustrations seem to present imprecisely the surgical anatomy, and the reader may find it difficult to duplicate the described surgical procedures for this reason. The book is billed as the updated sequel to the 1976 edition of "Practical Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery" by Drs. Reeh, Beyer, and Shannon. The ideas presented in this edition generally reflect the progress that has been made in this field over the past decade. However, there are a number of areas in which more recent material has not been included. For example, many now question the concept of separate reflex and basic tear secretions, or Jones and Wobigs' theory of lacrimal pump function, both of which have been seemingly contradicted by recent evidence. Most plastic surgeons trained in the past decade would not agree with Dr. Kohn's assessment of silk as the "ideal skin suture," and would certainly be surprised at Drs. Kohn and Orcutt's statement that an incision placed directly over the infraorbital rim provides "an excellent approach for repair of blowout fractures." The text reflects a tremendous effort, which has resulted in complete coverage of the field of ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. It nicely presents one man's view of this field, and will be of interest to many ophthalmologists.
Lacrimal Surgery. Contemporary Issues in Ophthalmology, vol. 5. Edited by John V. Linberg. New York, Churchill Livingstone Inc., 1988.348 pages, index, illustrated. $79
Reviewed by JOHN L. WOBIG Portland, Oregon
Twenty-four authors have organized an excellent book on the diagnosis and treatment of lacrimal disorders. Nine chapters deal with surgical procedures for the repair of the lacrimal system. The remaining chapters deal with anatomy, pathology, and radiography of the lacrimal system. The chapter on diagnostic tests and imaging techniques, by Jonathan
Book Reviews
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Dutton, is an excellent summary of all available diagnostic tests: ultrasonography, radionuclide dacryoscintigraphy, computed tomography, and chemiluminescence are nicely summarized for the clinician. The chapter on the pathology of nasolacrimal duct obstructions, by Steven A. McCormick and John V. Linberg, is original and worthwhile. The chapter on the surgical management of lacrimal sac tumors, by Joseph c. Flanagan and Christine Zolli, is valuable. It is a subject that has been neglected in other lacrimal books. This well-organized book is enhanced by Dr. Linberg's comments on controversies in the lacrimal field. This book will be of value to residents in ophthalmology and to practicing ophthalmologists with an interest in lacrimal surgery.
Amaurosis Fugax. Edited by Eugene F. Bernstein. New York, Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., 1988. 310 pages, index, illustrated. $75
Reviewed by JONATHAN D. TROBE Ann Arbor, Michigan
This book is a collection of 21 essays contributed by a group of experts who assembled at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, California, in March 1987. The editor, Eugene F. Bernstein, a vascular surgeon at Scripps, organized this gathering of prominent representatives from the clinical neurosciences, ophthalmology, hematology, and vascular surgery under one roof and, now, under one book cover. The result earns a mixed review. Nowhere else can one find an authoritative essay on the vascular anatomy of the eye (Hayreh) together with a solid discussion of antithrombotic agents (Harker) and recent reviews of endarterectomy for amaurosis by neurosurgeons (Fode and Sundt) and vascular surgeons (Connelly, Okuhn, and Ehrenfeld) in a single source. The bibliography alone is worth the price of the book. Another laudable feature is the "Consensus Statement" at the end of the book. It is an eloquent synopsis of "where we are today" in the diagnosis and treatment of amaurosis fugax. There are, however, several criticisms to be