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Show Journal of Clmical Neuro-op/llllllimology 13(3): 204-206, 1993. Book Reviews © 1993 Raven Press, Lt ' York Atlas of Optic Nerve Disorders, by Thomas C. Spoor. New York: Raven Press, 1992, 190 pp, $135,00. Dr. Spoor provides an excellent overview of optic nerve disorders with good photographic examples with case reports on most of those disorders presented. The book was quite easy to read, with good quality of both fundus photographs and neuroimaging studies. Perhaps the most controversial topics would be the chapters involving pseudotumor cerebri, the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathies, as well as anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. I felt that Dr. Spoor did a good job of presenting both sides of the argument in using both medical and surgical therapy for these disorders. Dr. Spoor's honesty in his suggested treatment of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy was greatly appreciated when he stated "my approach to patients with NAION continues to evolve," Other chapters discussing optic neuritis and optic nerve tumors were also excellent. In summary, I felt that Dr. Spoor did an excellent job of reviewing the history on presentation, funduscopic appearance, diagnostic considerations, and treatment alternatives to the most common diseases affecting the optic nerve seen by the practicing neuro-ophthalmologist. Not only ophthalmologists but neurologists and neurosurgeons would most likely benefit from this nice overview of optic nerve abnormalities. Bradley K. Farris, M.D. University of Oklahoma School of Medicine Oklahoma City, Oklahoma The Optic Nerve in Glaucoma, edited by Rohit Varma, George L. Spaeth, and Kenneth W. Parker, with 23 additional contributors, Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1993, 354 pp. This book is for those who wish a thorough introduction to current concepts and methods for evaluating the optic nerve with reference to glaucoma. Most, if not all, current concepts of what happens in the optic nerve head during glaucoma- 204 tous excavation and how it might be quantified (or evaluated and documented) by current clinical methods, is covered, Also included is a description of the technical basis and reliability of the various modern methods that have been applied by those in the research world who hope to develop a clinically practical tool that improves on present methods, Those who are waiting for a practical, costeffective, and proven accurate quantitative method that will improve on the present clinical methods may find those chapters interesting; but as none has become a clinical standard, these chapters may contain more information on these topics than some readers wish to know just yet. The book is well written and complete. Each chapter is written by an expert in that subject area. The authors were apparently well coached in the degree of detail that each chapter should contain, and that all stated facts should be compulsively referenced, It is not like some multiauthored books, with varied quality, as well as differences in the length and completeness of the coverage of subjects in various chapters. This book is worth reading if you want to be updated thoroughly on this subject. Douglas R. Anderson, M.D. University of Miami School of Medicine Miami, Florida Practical Atlas of Retinal Disease and Therapy, edited by William R. Freedman. New York: Raven Press, 1993, 346 pp, $165.00. Dr. Freedman and his outstanding collaborators (Jim Augsburger, Steve Charles, Eugene deJuan, Lee Jampol, Hilel Lewis, and Harvey Lincoff, to name just a few) have collaborated to comprise a well-organized, succinct, and practical atlas on the state-of-the-art diagnosis and management of retinal disorders. This book contains 18 chapters, each written by a universally recognized expert in his field. Particularly good sections include "Diagnosis and Treatment of Posterior Uveal Tumors" by Jim Augsburger, "Branch and Central Vein Occlusions" by Dan Finkelstein, and "Retinopathy of Prematurity" by Eugene deJuan. One of the best |