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Show Journal of Neuro- Ophthalmology 17( 4): 292- 293, 1997. © 1997 Lippincott- Raven Publishers, Philadelphia Book Reviews The Lacrimal System, edited by Jeffrey Jay Hurwitz. Lippincott- Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1995, $ 125.00 Type of Book: This is a multi- authored text covering medical and surgical aspects of the diagnosis and management of lacrimal disorders. Scope of book: The book is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide for ophthalmologists and other specialists who manage adults and children with disorders of the lacrimal system. The book is useful for both physicians in practice and those in training. Contents: The book is divided into four sections: Basic Sciences, Investigation, Clinical Presentation and Management, and Surgery of Lacrimal Drainage. Each section consists of 7 to 12 chapters which present, in most respects, a comprehensive overview of the relevant clinical material. Strengths: Though there are multiple contributors to the text, Dr. Hurwitz co- authors each chapter, lending a uniform point of view to the entire work and avoiding repetition. The strongest point of the book is its thorough discussion of surgical techniques, including external and intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy. The advantages and disadvantages of the newer laser technique are discussed candidly. All surgical techniques are well illustrated. The chapters on investigation of lacrimal disorders are well-written and well- referenced and should serve as a useful template for diagnosis of difficult or atypical cases. Weaknesses: The section on the neurophysiology of tear secretion is only two pages long and does not cover major topics of neuro- ophthalmologic interest such as hypersecretion and aberrant regeneration. The subject of aberrant regeneration is covered in some detail in the chapter on Facial Paralysis ( in the Clinical Presentation and Management section). However, readers requiring detailed neuro- ophthalmologic information will want to consult either the primary literature or a neuro-ophthalmologic text. The discussion of management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction does not cover recent controversies regarding the cost effectiveness of early vs. late probing ( a subject that has been the topic of several recent articles in the pediatric ophthalmology literature). In addition, newer technology for lacrimal intubation, including the newest technique devised by Ritleng, is not presented, This recently developed technique is in widespread use among pediatric ophthalmologists. It has the advantage of eliminating the difficult and traumatic procedure of dragging a metal probe through the canalicular system, sac, duct and nasal vestibule. It also eliminates the need for leaving a loop of irritating silicon in the Barrett Katz, MD medial canthus for several months following intubation for trauma or a failed probing. Recommended Audience: The text will be of value for general ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists in training who are in need of a comprehensive discussion of diagnostic techniques and therapeutic options. The section on diagnostic techniques may also provide useful guidance for neuro- ophthalmologists in the course of evaluating lacrimal features of neuro- ophthalmologic disorders. For the purpose of authoritative neuro-ophthalmologic reference, however, it will be necessary to consult either primary source material or a recognized textbook on clinical neuro- ophthalmology. Critical Appraisal: The text meets its purpose of formulating a practical' ' game plan'' consisting of tried and true techniques that will lead to correct diagnosis and therapy for most lacrimal disorders. However, neuro-ophthalmologists should not expect the text to provide comprehensive information regarding neural mechanisms of abnormal lacrimation. Joel M. Weinstein, MD Physicians Plus Medical Group Madison, Wisconsin Clinical Tests of Vision, by Lars Frisen. Raven Press, Ltd., New York, NY; 1994, $ 65.50. Type of Book: This text is a soft cover monograph, with a detailed discussion of each aspect of its subject; it is liberally illustrated with anatomic line drawings and visual field reproductions, with occasional color fundus photographs and correlative neuroimaging included. Scope of book: The book is designed to provide an in- depth description of visual testing, from basic visual physiology of vision and its evaluation, through the details and interpretation of tests commonly available to the clinician. It is a practical guide, but carefully covers the basic science foundation for each topic. Contents: The book contains 13 chapters. The first five chapters deal with the physiologic basis for testing vision and the various methods for assessing visual acuity, visual distortion, and color vision. Brief sections on contrast sensitivity testing and visual evoked potentials are also included. The remaining chapters, and the major focus of the text, are devoted to visual field testing. There is extensive coverage of the physiologic basis for perimetry and its strategies. Various forms of visual field screening are described. Several later chapters provide an 293 orderly correlation between the anatomic location of visual pathway lesions and the associated visual field defects. Lastly, a series of test cases enables the reader to apply these principles to practical clinical problems. Strengths: The great strength of this text lies in its clarity in describing the principles underlying perimetry and their application to clinical practice by an acknowledged master of the subject. Frisen's ability to convey these principles and their scientific basis provides a logical progression to the text; the reader is guided through details of the process which are not well explained in most texts on the subject. The illustrations, particularly the Traquair's island figures, are excellent in technical quality and concept; they are uniquely drawn and add significantly to the discussion. Similarly, the quality of anatomic line drawings and perimetric reproductions is very high. Weaknesses: The text succeeds admirably in covering its topic clearly and completely, and I have only two suggestions for future editions. Most of the perimetry examples and illustrations are Goldmann fields. Since the publication of this text, automated perimetry has more and more become the first line test of visual field function, and the edition of the text would benefit from a greater number of examples of this format. Additionally, although the focus of the book is not to discuss lesions causing visual field defects, I believe the clinical examples might benefit from more correlative MR images of CNS pathology. Recommended audience: This volume is an extremely valuable first text for those learning the principles underlying the assessment of visual function, particularly ophthalmology residents and practitioners wishing to review the basics of perimetry. Critical Appraisal: This is a superb text, one of the best summaries of the principles and application of visual testing available. Although it may be too detailed for those not specifically involved in ophthalmologic care, beginning ophthalmology residents would do well to read it cover to cover prior to reviewing their first visual field test. Anthony C. Arnold, M. D. Jules Stein Eye Institute Los Angeles, California THE EYE IN INFANCY, edited by Sherwin J. Isen-berg. Mosby- Year Book, Inc. St. Louis, MO, 1994, 2nd edition, $ 132.00 Type of Book: This is a multi- authored text reviewing the full spectrum of ophthalmologic disease affecting infants. Scope of Book: This authoritative textbook is designed to appeal to all ophthalmologists, pediatricians and neo-natologists, both in practice and in training. In addition, geneticists will find it useful in providing a comprehensive review of specific ocular problems in infancy, both inherited and otherwise. Content: The book is divided into six parts: techniques of examination and basic considerations; sections on the development and testing of vision in infants; congenital malformations; acquired disorders; retinopathy of prematurity and ocular involvement in systemic diseases of infancy. A total of 57 authors, all acknowledged experts in their field, contributed to the 39 chapters in the book. The section on congenital malformations in the largest, comprising 16 chapters which cover all aspects of congenital ocular disease, including an extensive chapter on retinoblastoma. Strengths: The scope of the book is comprehensive and includes many outstanding chapters. From a neuro-ophthalmologist's perspective, those chapters on optic nerve disease and cortical blindness are especially noteworthy. Many chapters have extensive tables; there is much well- organized information available here for ready referencing and easy accessibility. The bibliography for most chapters is extensive and up to date. The end of the book includes an interesting chapter which addresses raising a child with visual impairment and the effects it has on a family. Useful resources are also included. Weaknesses: Like most multi- authored textbooks, there is some redundancy of information. This is not a " how- to" book. A high level of medical expertise and understanding of general concepts is assumed. There is little in the way of practice pearls or tips on examination techniques. Recommended Audience: The textbook is useful for neonatologists and pediatricians who will often refer to the extensive discussions of uncommon neonatal ocular conditions. Similarly, the scope of the material will appeal to general ophthalmologists who treat children as well as subspecialists in pediatrics and neurophthalmology who need handy reference material. Critical Appraisal: As Marshall Parks points out in the book's forward, those physicians who treat infants with ocular disorders ( and this often includes the neuro-ophthalmologist) need an informative and up- to- date textbook covering the immense amount of information that spans so many fields of medicine. This book certainly fulfills such a need. Scott Forman, M. D. Westchester County Medical Center Valhalla, N. Y J Neuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 17, No. 4, 1997 |
