The Hole In My Vision: An Artist's View of His Own Macular Degeneration.

Lee Alien, H Stanley Thompson, James C Folk. Pp 117; $100. The Penfield Press, University of Iowa, 2000. ISBN 1-57216-085-3 (cloth), 1-57216-084-5 (paper).

This text provides an illuminating and unique insight into the entoptic phenomena induced by the development of age related macular degeneration. Written primarily by a distinguished ophthalmic artist and photographer, it records his visual impressions of the development of age related macular degeneration in his own retinas during a 10 year period. His method of inducing and illustrating his entoptic phenomena is fascinating and the correlation with the clinical fundus findings of his attending ophthalmologists quite remarkable. The effect of laser photocoagulation is clearly described from a patient's perspective.

This book is written in large print for the lay sufferer and ophthalmic professional alike. It is an easy read with plentiful illustrations and should occupy the bookshelf of all concerned with this potentially blinding disorder. Profits derived from the sale of this book will be used to support age related macular degeneration research.