As a medical student with a keen interest in public health, I found Textbook of Community Ophthalmology to be an insightful resource that bridges the gap between individual clinical care and population-based strategies for preventing blindness. The editors present a compact, well-organised text that offers both theoretical grounding and practical wisdom, drawn from real-world national and international projects.
The book covers an impressive depth of content in under 200 pages, ranging from epidemiology and survey design to national blindness control programmes, tele-ophthalmology and health economics. Early chapters provide a solid introduction to key public health concepts such as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and prevalence surveys, while later sections delve into implementation frameworks like India’s National Programme for Control of Blindness and global initiatives such as VISION 2020. The chapters on health economics and telemedicine, although topical and relevant, may feel brief and would benefit from further elaboration or case-based examples.
Written in clear and accessible language, the book is highly readable even for those new to the field. The use of summary tables and bullet-pointed sections allows for easy retention and makes the book a useful revision tool. However, the inclusion of more flow diagrams or visual aids, particularly in implementation-heavy chapters, would further enhance its clarity.
This book is particularly suited to medical students, ophthalmology trainees, optometrists and early-career clinicians working in public health. Its unique focus on system-level delivery and programme planning makes it a useful supplement to more clinically focused texts. Though a few chapters might feel somewhat condensed, especially for those seeking in-depth policy discussion, the overall text is practical, concise and relevant.
For those looking to understand the broader context of eyecare delivery beyond the clinic or theatre, this textbook offers a timely and valuable perspective.
