This book comprises details of symposia / seminars on surgical aspects of retina presented by renowned authorities in ophthalmology from all over the world during ESASOS (European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology) academic activities, which are mentioned in a professional and constructive manner.
It highlights the common blinding retinal vascular disorders like diabetic retinopathy and retinal venous occlusion disorders with their complications, medical and surgical management in full detail, with ongoing studies and trials like the diabetic control and complication trial, Wisconsin eye survey of diabetic retinopathy, Early treatment Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy study, DRCR.net, RESOLVE, RESTORE Study and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), etc.
In its first eight chapters results of adjunctive uses of anti-vascular growth factors like Pegatanib, Bevacizumab (Avastin), Alfibercept (VEGF Trap-Eye), Bevasiranib (an siRNA drug) and Rapamycin (sirolimus) in diabetic retinopathy are discussed in fine detail. The main purpose of these chapters is to review the data in the context of contemporary treatment options.
The next few chapters cover the most important aspects of retinal detachment disorders with principles, indications, contraindications, guidelines for the selection of sclera buckling for conventional procedures of retinal detachment surgery, and pneumatic retinopexy with excellent tables, tricks and diagrams. In addition to this, a chapter on macular hole surgery beautifully covers the diagnostic aspects and investigations with modern management and different surgical treatment modalities of macular hole surgery.
The last two chapters include complications of different retinal surgeries, which can lead to permanent visual impairment and even blindness in the patients if not treated immediately and properly in time. This included Irvine-Gass syndrome and endophthalmitis in very good detail with preventive measures and adequate medical and surgical aspects of treatment options.
Every chapter has an abstract on the first page, which is the unique quality of this book. It provides a comprehensive overview of every topic and most of the chapters have a conclusion at the end which helps the reader to memorise the important points of the particular topic. Other additional qualities of this book are a good standard of retinal photographs, fundus fluorescein angiograms, optical coherence tomograms, flow charts, tables and a number of comparative graphs on multiple studies and trials.
Overall the book successfully covers a broad subject in a short volume. This book is a good source of up to date reviews with very few minor mistakes.
At $115 this book is remarkably good value, especially with so many detailed illustrations. I would thoroughly recommend it for use as a reference book by postgraduate trainees, especially vitreo-retinal, ophthalmic practitioners, and in tertiary eye care centres and the libraries of all the teaching hospitals.
