- Email: [email protected]
The Book List
Vol. 108, No. 1
Retinal Detachment Surgery, ed. 2. By A. H. Chignell. New York, Springer-Verlag, 1988. 162 pages, index, illustrated. $72.50
97
Historic Vignettes
The author has achieved his goal of presenting a simple system for the treatment of basic retinal detachments. Residents and interested general ophthalmologists will profit from reading this book.
Reviewed by CHRISTOPHER F. BLODI
Iowa City, Iowa
In this text, Chignell's stated goal is to present a basic overview of his system for planning and performing the typical retinal reattachment operation. This second edition updates the first edition published eight years ago. Again, only a brief overview of retinal detachment physiology, peripheral anatomy and degenerations, and the retinal examination is presented. The section on operative planning is a good one. Here, situations that are more complex or more easily treated with vitrectomy surgery are pointed out. The role of vitrectomy in the treatment of detachments with proliferative vitreoretinopathy is now more complete, although a discussion of the mechanisms of vitrectomy surgery is intentionally kept out of this text. The schematic drawings are most useful in amplifying buckling strategies. The section on surgical details is a succinct review of the author's techniques, supplemented with useful photographs. Complications of each of the major steps in the operation are covered. The final section on postoperative care is enhanced by the addition of a discussion on gas-induced complications. All of the chapters have reasonably extensive and up-to-date references. Certain areas receive too little attention. Pneumatic retinopexy is mentioned as an alternative procedure, but not discussed. The section on prophylactic treatment of retinal disease is too brief. Many retinal surgeons would disagree with the author's opinion that treatment of lattice degeneration should be performed in nonfellow eyes "when breaks are found within it." Certain techniques are not necessarily conformed to in the United States. For instance, pars plana injections are usually performed 3 to 4 mm from the corneosclerallimbus, not 5 mm as the author suggests. Many surgeons prefer to mark the retinal breaks before treating them with cryotherapy, not vice versa. Although immobilization is a useful aid for bullous detachments, most American surgeons can no longer justify bed rest and 24 to 48 hours of bilateral patching in such cases.
The Book List Contact Lens Fitting. A Clinical Text Atlas. By Frank J. Weinstock. Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1989. 150 pages, index, illustrated. $95 Current Therapy in Ophthalmic Surgery. By George L. Spaeth, L. Jay Katz, and Kenneth W. Parker. Ontario, Canada, B. C. Decker, Inc., 1989. 355 pages, index, illustrated. $79.50 Dictionary of Visual Science, ed. 4. By David Cline, Henry W. Hofstetter, and John R. Griffin. Radnor, Pennsylvania, Chilton Book Company, 1989. 820 pages, illustrated. $57 Magrane's Canine Ophthalmology, ed. 4. By Lloyd C. Helper. Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1989. 297 pages, index, illustrated. $48.50 Ophthalmic Lasers, ed. 3. By Francis A. L'Esperance, Jr. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 1989. 1,046 pages, index, illustrated. $150 (2 volumes)
Historic Vignettes 125th Anniversary of the New York Ophthalmological Society At its 986th meeting, on March 13, 1989, the New York Ophthalmological Society celebrated its 125th anniversary. The first meeting was held on March 7, 1864, at the home of Cornelius Rea Agnew, 362 Fifth Avenue, in New York City. The ten men present that evening constituted the Charter Membership. They were Agnew, Herman Althof, Freeman J. Bumstead, William F. Carmalt, John H. Hinton, Henry D. Noyes, D. B. St. John
Retinal Detachment Surgery, ed. 2. By A. H. Chignell. New York, Springer-Verlag, 1988. 162 pages, index, illustrated. $72.50
97
Historic Vignettes
The author has achieved his goal of presenting a simple system for the treatment of basic retinal detachments. Residents and interested general ophthalmologists will profit from reading this book.
Reviewed by CHRISTOPHER F. BLODI
Iowa City, Iowa
In this text, Chignell's stated goal is to present a basic overview of his system for planning and performing the typical retinal reattachment operation. This second edition updates the first edition published eight years ago. Again, only a brief overview of retinal detachment physiology, peripheral anatomy and degenerations, and the retinal examination is presented. The section on operative planning is a good one. Here, situations that are more complex or more easily treated with vitrectomy surgery are pointed out. The role of vitrectomy in the treatment of detachments with proliferative vitreoretinopathy is now more complete, although a discussion of the mechanisms of vitrectomy surgery is intentionally kept out of this text. The schematic drawings are most useful in amplifying buckling strategies. The section on surgical details is a succinct review of the author's techniques, supplemented with useful photographs. Complications of each of the major steps in the operation are covered. The final section on postoperative care is enhanced by the addition of a discussion on gas-induced complications. All of the chapters have reasonably extensive and up-to-date references. Certain areas receive too little attention. Pneumatic retinopexy is mentioned as an alternative procedure, but not discussed. The section on prophylactic treatment of retinal disease is too brief. Many retinal surgeons would disagree with the author's opinion that treatment of lattice degeneration should be performed in nonfellow eyes "when breaks are found within it." Certain techniques are not necessarily conformed to in the United States. For instance, pars plana injections are usually performed 3 to 4 mm from the corneosclerallimbus, not 5 mm as the author suggests. Many surgeons prefer to mark the retinal breaks before treating them with cryotherapy, not vice versa. Although immobilization is a useful aid for bullous detachments, most American surgeons can no longer justify bed rest and 24 to 48 hours of bilateral patching in such cases.
The Book List Contact Lens Fitting. A Clinical Text Atlas. By Frank J. Weinstock. Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1989. 150 pages, index, illustrated. $95 Current Therapy in Ophthalmic Surgery. By George L. Spaeth, L. Jay Katz, and Kenneth W. Parker. Ontario, Canada, B. C. Decker, Inc., 1989. 355 pages, index, illustrated. $79.50 Dictionary of Visual Science, ed. 4. By David Cline, Henry W. Hofstetter, and John R. Griffin. Radnor, Pennsylvania, Chilton Book Company, 1989. 820 pages, illustrated. $57 Magrane's Canine Ophthalmology, ed. 4. By Lloyd C. Helper. Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1989. 297 pages, index, illustrated. $48.50 Ophthalmic Lasers, ed. 3. By Francis A. L'Esperance, Jr. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 1989. 1,046 pages, index, illustrated. $150 (2 volumes)
Historic Vignettes 125th Anniversary of the New York Ophthalmological Society At its 986th meeting, on March 13, 1989, the New York Ophthalmological Society celebrated its 125th anniversary. The first meeting was held on March 7, 1864, at the home of Cornelius Rea Agnew, 362 Fifth Avenue, in New York City. The ten men present that evening constituted the Charter Membership. They were Agnew, Herman Althof, Freeman J. Bumstead, William F. Carmalt, John H. Hinton, Henry D. Noyes, D. B. St. John