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The Eye
VOL. 85, NO. 3
BOOK REVIEWS
ions, with less effort to cover the entire subject area of open-angle glaucoma. As it is, the value of this publication is equiva lent to that of listening to a typical threehour panel discussion on glaucoma—it is interesting to hear or read, although not suitable as a permanent reference source. D O U G L A S R. A N D E R S O N
Comprehensive Review of Orthoptics and Ocular Motility. Theory, Therapy, and Surgery. By Jane Hurtt, Antonia Rasicovici, and Charles E. Windsor. St. Louis, C.V. Mosby, 1977. Clothbound, 258 pages, table of contents, index, 52 black and white figures. $22.50 The authors have used a question and answer, or statement and response format for providing a thumbnail sketch of ocu lar motility and a more detailed descrip tion of orthoptic diagnosis and treatment. The two orthoptists and the ophthalmolo gist who completed this work are well qualified to assemble this review of or thoptics. Basic concepts of optics are covered in an understandable way, but a more de tailed description of the Iensometer and its uses would be helpful to the orthoptic student. The reader may be confused by repeat ed references to ocular torsion followed by denial that torsion exists as a function al part of ocular movement. A useful classification of strabismus is presented, which provides the student with an initial approach to what could be a baffling array of diagnostic possibilities. An experienced clinician might find these lists less useful. The diagnostic tools used in orthoptics are listed in a complete fashion, but some descriptions are sketchy. One wonders why the visuscope and projectoscope are described before the prism. The book would benefit from
431
more photographs and diagrams to de scribe some of the diagnostic and thera peutic techniques that are accurately but sometimes too briefly described. The essence of orthoptics is contained in a chapter entitled "Nonsurgical Treatment—Orthoptics, Miotics, and Prisms." This chapter succinctly de scribes orthoptics as an entity within the larger field of ophthalmology. The how, when, where, and why of orthoptic prac tice is outlined and would make worth while reading for every ophthalmologist who deals with strabismic patients. The chapter on surgical technique could be shortened, while at the same time made more meaningful with the use of illustrations, either diagrams or photo graphs. The description of such entities as the blind spot syndrome vs mechanism, microstrabismus and monofixation syn drome, anomalous retinal correspon dence, and others, provides ready access to diverse information. The authors have, for the most part, achieved their goal of "reviewing salient factors" of orthoptic practice and in the second edition, newer concepts such as the nystagmus compen sation (blockage) syndrome and the pos terior fixation suture are described. This volume, with its emphasis on the orthoptist's role in diagnosis and treatment of strabismus, is a worthwhile companion to the several excellent strabismus texts and atlases currently available. E U G E N E M.
HELVESTON
The Eye, 2nd ed. Edited by Hugh Davson. New York, Academic Press, Inc., 1977. Clothbound, 689 pages, table of contents, author index, subject index, 303 black and white figures, 1 color plate. $49.50 Dr. Davson has contributed greatly to
432
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
ophthalmology through his remarkable ability both as an editor and as a writer. In the present case the new product is The Photobiology of Vision. All of us have at least a nodding familiarity with the pho tobiology of vision because the field has been blessed not only with able research ers but also with researchers such as Wald and Rushton who have been highly effec tive teachers as well. In asking Dartnall and Knowles to write an entire volume to succeed what was formerly part of a vol ume, Dr. Davson has recognized the enor mous scope of this field and the increas ing subspecialization that has occurred. The book is an extensive, well written review of current knowledge of visual pigments. From the viewpoint of the po tential reader whose background is in ophthalmology there is, however, a real question of appropriateness. Much of the text concerns laboratory detail. For exam ple, there are detailed instructions for the physical and biochemical techniques re quired for the handling of biological pig ments. Important as these factors are to someone active in research, they have limited interest for clinicians. Thus the book seems appropriate only for special audiences: for those in ophthalmology with a research background and interest; or for those with a true laboratory interest who will use it as a handbook. It is the latter use that seems most practical. Hence the book, though not a necessity for the library of a practicing ophthalmolo gist, will be invaluable to graduate stu dents in the physiology and biochemistry of vision. A L A N M. L A T I E S
Medical Ophthalmology. Edited by F. Clifford Rose. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 1976. Clothbound, 574 pages, table of contents, index, 38 tables, 140 black and white figures. $25.50
MARCH, 1978
This book, comprising574 pages, has 35 English contributors, 36 chapters ar ranged in six parts, and one editor. It deals with many subjects, all nonsurgical, but with particular emphasis on various facets of neuro-ophthalmology. Some subjects are covered in great detail, whereas others receive only cursory treat ment. There are a few excellent chapters that help to raise the work above the ordinary, and others that plunge it into mediocrity. On the purely technical side there are many errors in spelling, (exam ple; authors names HRR=Hardy, not Harvey, Rand, Rittler.) The references are difficult to use for they do not include the titles of papers, and some are either mis quoted or wrongly numbered in the text. Frankly, I expected a more polished pres entation considering the excellent reputa tion of the editor and the authors he chose for this effort. However, multi-authored works, unless closely scrutinized and subjected to rigorous editorial treatment, tend to be rough around the edges. One may fairly ask, for whom is this book intended? Certainly, it is not a text book for medical students, and only a small portion of it would appeal to generalists. Neurologists might well appreciate the neuro-ophthalmology section and clinical ophthalmologists would profit from a good many of the chapters, partic ularly the parts dealing with inflammato ry and vascular disorders. The chapters on ocular palsies and chiasmal lesions by Rose; on electrophysiology by Ikeda; and on virus diseases by Easty are well done. Geraint Jame's two chapters, one on uveitis and the other on sarcoidosis, are excel lent and confirm his place as a foremost internist-ophthalmologist. As we have come to expect, Kohner's work is of high quality and her chapter on retinal vein occlusion with John Shilling is superior. Parsons-Smith provides an important re view of giant cell arteritis and Nicholas
BOOK REVIEWS
ions, with less effort to cover the entire subject area of open-angle glaucoma. As it is, the value of this publication is equiva lent to that of listening to a typical threehour panel discussion on glaucoma—it is interesting to hear or read, although not suitable as a permanent reference source. D O U G L A S R. A N D E R S O N
Comprehensive Review of Orthoptics and Ocular Motility. Theory, Therapy, and Surgery. By Jane Hurtt, Antonia Rasicovici, and Charles E. Windsor. St. Louis, C.V. Mosby, 1977. Clothbound, 258 pages, table of contents, index, 52 black and white figures. $22.50 The authors have used a question and answer, or statement and response format for providing a thumbnail sketch of ocu lar motility and a more detailed descrip tion of orthoptic diagnosis and treatment. The two orthoptists and the ophthalmolo gist who completed this work are well qualified to assemble this review of or thoptics. Basic concepts of optics are covered in an understandable way, but a more de tailed description of the Iensometer and its uses would be helpful to the orthoptic student. The reader may be confused by repeat ed references to ocular torsion followed by denial that torsion exists as a function al part of ocular movement. A useful classification of strabismus is presented, which provides the student with an initial approach to what could be a baffling array of diagnostic possibilities. An experienced clinician might find these lists less useful. The diagnostic tools used in orthoptics are listed in a complete fashion, but some descriptions are sketchy. One wonders why the visuscope and projectoscope are described before the prism. The book would benefit from
431
more photographs and diagrams to de scribe some of the diagnostic and thera peutic techniques that are accurately but sometimes too briefly described. The essence of orthoptics is contained in a chapter entitled "Nonsurgical Treatment—Orthoptics, Miotics, and Prisms." This chapter succinctly de scribes orthoptics as an entity within the larger field of ophthalmology. The how, when, where, and why of orthoptic prac tice is outlined and would make worth while reading for every ophthalmologist who deals with strabismic patients. The chapter on surgical technique could be shortened, while at the same time made more meaningful with the use of illustrations, either diagrams or photo graphs. The description of such entities as the blind spot syndrome vs mechanism, microstrabismus and monofixation syn drome, anomalous retinal correspon dence, and others, provides ready access to diverse information. The authors have, for the most part, achieved their goal of "reviewing salient factors" of orthoptic practice and in the second edition, newer concepts such as the nystagmus compen sation (blockage) syndrome and the pos terior fixation suture are described. This volume, with its emphasis on the orthoptist's role in diagnosis and treatment of strabismus, is a worthwhile companion to the several excellent strabismus texts and atlases currently available. E U G E N E M.
HELVESTON
The Eye, 2nd ed. Edited by Hugh Davson. New York, Academic Press, Inc., 1977. Clothbound, 689 pages, table of contents, author index, subject index, 303 black and white figures, 1 color plate. $49.50 Dr. Davson has contributed greatly to
432
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
ophthalmology through his remarkable ability both as an editor and as a writer. In the present case the new product is The Photobiology of Vision. All of us have at least a nodding familiarity with the pho tobiology of vision because the field has been blessed not only with able research ers but also with researchers such as Wald and Rushton who have been highly effec tive teachers as well. In asking Dartnall and Knowles to write an entire volume to succeed what was formerly part of a vol ume, Dr. Davson has recognized the enor mous scope of this field and the increas ing subspecialization that has occurred. The book is an extensive, well written review of current knowledge of visual pigments. From the viewpoint of the po tential reader whose background is in ophthalmology there is, however, a real question of appropriateness. Much of the text concerns laboratory detail. For exam ple, there are detailed instructions for the physical and biochemical techniques re quired for the handling of biological pig ments. Important as these factors are to someone active in research, they have limited interest for clinicians. Thus the book seems appropriate only for special audiences: for those in ophthalmology with a research background and interest; or for those with a true laboratory interest who will use it as a handbook. It is the latter use that seems most practical. Hence the book, though not a necessity for the library of a practicing ophthalmolo gist, will be invaluable to graduate stu dents in the physiology and biochemistry of vision. A L A N M. L A T I E S
Medical Ophthalmology. Edited by F. Clifford Rose. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 1976. Clothbound, 574 pages, table of contents, index, 38 tables, 140 black and white figures. $25.50
MARCH, 1978
This book, comprising574 pages, has 35 English contributors, 36 chapters ar ranged in six parts, and one editor. It deals with many subjects, all nonsurgical, but with particular emphasis on various facets of neuro-ophthalmology. Some subjects are covered in great detail, whereas others receive only cursory treat ment. There are a few excellent chapters that help to raise the work above the ordinary, and others that plunge it into mediocrity. On the purely technical side there are many errors in spelling, (exam ple; authors names HRR=Hardy, not Harvey, Rand, Rittler.) The references are difficult to use for they do not include the titles of papers, and some are either mis quoted or wrongly numbered in the text. Frankly, I expected a more polished pres entation considering the excellent reputa tion of the editor and the authors he chose for this effort. However, multi-authored works, unless closely scrutinized and subjected to rigorous editorial treatment, tend to be rough around the edges. One may fairly ask, for whom is this book intended? Certainly, it is not a text book for medical students, and only a small portion of it would appeal to generalists. Neurologists might well appreciate the neuro-ophthalmology section and clinical ophthalmologists would profit from a good many of the chapters, partic ularly the parts dealing with inflammato ry and vascular disorders. The chapters on ocular palsies and chiasmal lesions by Rose; on electrophysiology by Ikeda; and on virus diseases by Easty are well done. Geraint Jame's two chapters, one on uveitis and the other on sarcoidosis, are excel lent and confirm his place as a foremost internist-ophthalmologist. As we have come to expect, Kohner's work is of high quality and her chapter on retinal vein occlusion with John Shilling is superior. Parsons-Smith provides an important re view of giant cell arteritis and Nicholas