Dr Mauriello has relied on his vast clinical experience to put together an authoritative treatise on the prevention and management of problems in eyelid and lacrimal surgery. Each chapter in the three large sections—aesthetic eyelid and midface surgery, functional eyelid surgery, and lacrimal surgery—has contributions by one set of authors and is preceded by introductory comments from the editor. The authors describe in detail their approaches to the very specific complications associated with particular surgical interventions.

The uniqueness of the text lies in its layout, as Dr Mauriello has enlisted the assistance of colleagues in various subspecialties of ophthalmic plastic surgery, head and neck surgery, and dermatological surgery to offer “expert” comments on their experiences, approaches, and suggestions for dealing with these very complex problems. Some overlap within each chapter is deliberately intended to bring a diverse perspective to these topics. A concluding editorial nicely summarises the expert commentary from each chapter.

Although this text can be read and enjoyed by a wide audience of medical practitioners, it will be most appreciated by ophthalmologists, ophthalmic plastic surgeons, plastic surgeons, and others performing surgery in the periocular region. The eyelid surgery sections are particularly timely and well outlined, covering essential topics such as endoscopic forehead elevation, laser resurfacing, and congenital blepharoptosis surgery. A wide spectrum of lacrimal disorders from infancy to adulthood are also described, including the management of lacrimal sac tumours. Relevant histopathology, neuroimaging, and schematic diagrams serve to emphasise surgical or anatomical principles where necessary. The scope of the text may be somewhat advanced for residents in the early stages of their training, but it does provide some indication of the breadth of knowledge and surgical techniques that need to be mastered in order to optimise functional and aesthetic surgical results. The intraoperative photographs, with meticulous attention to detail, provide careful instruction as to how to carry out surgical techniques with maximum success yet minimal complications. For surgeons embarking on a career in ophthalmic plastic surgery, or for established surgeons interested in optimising surgical results, this text is a welcome addition to any collection.