A comprehensive, well-illustrated and highly informative resource providing excellent descriptions of vitreoretinal diseases, their presentation, diagnosis and management.
The 40 chapters are grouped into four sections, namely: the Anatomy and Physiology of the vitreous, retina, choroid and retinal pigment epithelium; Diagnostic Techniques, which includes indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultrasonography and electrodiagnostics; Diseases of the vitreous, retina and choroid; and Vitreoretinal Procedures. The major part of this volume is reserved for descriptions of the diseases.
Each chapter is supported by an extensive reference list for those wishing to seek further detail on a specific topic of interest. There are numerous high quality illustrations, fundus photographs, fluorescein angiograms, annotated diagrams, OCT images and composite drawings throughout.
The ‘Clinical Pearls’ are liberally distributed throughout the text and there are several useful comparative tables to aid diagnosis. A clear and simple explanation of how to use the head-mounted binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy for wide field viewing is provided. The chapter covering the clinical features and management of blunt and penetrating ocular injuries is also large. The relatively brief chapter on the use of intravitreal injections primarily concentrates on the risk of endophthalmitis and distinguishing between infectious and non-infectious inflammation after the intervention.
The statistics on vision impairment and socio-economic impact are quoted primarily for the United States of America as the vitreoretinal specialist contributors, numbering more than 70, are almost exclusively based in the States. It should be noted that drugs dosage or applications may not be current or applicable in the United Kingdom.
This textbook is well-worth acquiring, particularly for those involved in shared care or extended roles within the medical retina clinics. Ophthalmologists of all grades, specialist ophthalmic nurses, and optometrists should find much of interest, and it is also available as an e-book.
