Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 9

With the ever increasing volume of literature on all subjects, this collection of 16 reviews of topical issues in ophthalmology provides a useful concise update for ophthalmologists: for those in training who require a “review lecture” on the subject; and for the more senior surgeon who may wish to keep abreast of subjects not necessarily in his field of special interest. The selection of subjects encompasses difficult clinical problems (for example, management of advanced glaucoma), visits newer techniques which are becoming more widespread (small incision cataract surgery, ocular surface reconstruction, use of botulinum toxin), and also presents reviews of newer diagnostic techniques requiring specialist instrumentation. Some of the chapters provide a wider overview of the subject, while other give detailed instruction for best clinical practice. Clearly written by recognised specialists in their fields, well illustrated and supported by extensive bibliographies, each article introduces the subject with a historical perspective, before describing the newer aspects and rationale for their approach. Tables and flow charts augment the text and provide easily remembered summaries and algorithms for approaching difficult diagnostic problems logically. Where individual techniques are recommended, a detailed method is provided to allow the reader to perform the task. Some techniques proposed by the authors may be familiar in principle, but different in detail and may vary from other contemporary opinions on the subject, or the reader’s own experience—for example, the use of mitomycin in enhanced trabeculectomy under the scleral flap. The references in some cases may have been superseded by more recent articles published elsewhere since the production of this book, which is inevitable with books describing rapidly advancing medicine, but the ophthalmologist reading these review articles will have a good authoritative background article on which to build future knowledge.