Editors: Jack J. Kanski, MD; and Brad Bowling, FRCSEd (Ophth). With Ken Nischal, FRCOphth;  and Andrew Pearson, MRCP, FRCOphth
Publisher: Elsevier Saunders – 909 pages
Book Review by: Nano Khilnani

This is a book for trainees and practitioners involved in the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic disease and disorders. It is a visually rich book of over 900 pages, with thousands of full-color images. The material in this book is organized for rapid reference and efficient, effective recall. More on content organization is detailed below.

Content organization is no less than superb. Not only are the topics of each chapter itemized in the book’s Contents page, the subtopics under each topic are listed in each chapter’s first page. For example in chapter 1 – Eyelids, under the topic Malignant Tumors, you will find coverage and page numbers on the following types of such tumors:

  • Rare predisposing conditions
  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Keratocanthoma
  • Sebaceous gland carcinoma
  • Lentigo maligna and melanoma
  • Merkel cell carcinoma
  • Kaposi sarcoma
  • Treatment of malignant tumors

And as you look closer into each of the above-mentioned tumors in the chapter 1 – Eyelids – you will find descriptions and detailed information under these headings: General Features, Histology, and Clinical Types. Full-color, close-up images, with captions, of each of the tumors and their clinical types are provided for you to see the differences, while reading about them in the accompanying text.

Tables provide you more data and comparisons. For example, Table 1.1 entitled Causes of Trichomegaly on page 29 under the heading Allergic Disorders lists the causes of acquired trichomegaly versus congenital trichomegaly.

You will also find information in each chapter on the History, Symptoms, Signs, and Treatment of each disease and disorder.

This book first appeared about 30 years ago in 1984. The length of time a book has been around is a gauge of its popularity by users, and the number of editions of it that have appeared is an indication that the field is changing, with numerous research findings, and the need to update the book with that current information. This seventh edition of the book has been updated with numerous changes, reflecting recent developments in the field of ophthalmology.

Most importantly,  this is not just a book but a very valuable a multimedia resource with all the contents of the print version available online, plus much else.  To access the online resources available to you as the purchase of this book, here’s what you do:

  1. Register
  1. Activate Your Book
  • Scratch off your Activation Code found on the inside front cover of this book and enter it into the Add a Title box.
  • You’re done! Click on the book’s title under My Titles

To give you an overview of the contents of this book, these are its 21 chapters:

  1. Eyelids
  2. Lacrimal Drainage System
  3. Orbit
  4. Dry Eye Disorders
  5. Conjunctiva
  6. Cornea
  7. Corneal and Refractive Surgery
  8. Episclera and Sclera
  9. Lens
  10. Glaucoma
  11. Uveitis
  12. Ocular Tumors
  13. Retinal Vascular Disease
  14. Acquired Macular Disorders
  15. Hereditary Fundus Dystrophies
  16. Retinal Detachment
  17. Vitreous Opacities
  18. Strabismus
  19. Neuro-ophthalmology
  20. Ocular Side-effects of Systemic Medication
  21. Trauma

The benefits of owning this book are numerous, but we mention just a few here:

  1. A downloadable image gallery is available to you, part of the entire contents of the print version
  2. A wealth of information and insight gained from years of practice by two well-known ophthalmic surgeons – Jack J. Kanski and Brad Bowling
  3. Over 2,700 images, most of them in full color, are provided in this resource. More than 1,000 of them appear for the first time in this edition
  4. Guidance on examination, imaging, and recognition of systemic conditions associated with ocular disease
  5. Latest advances in ophthalmology, including:
  • Radical changes in the management of macular disease, including the widespread introduction of VEGF inhibitor therapy
  • Recent developments in the investigation and treatment of retinal vascular disease
  • New pharmaceutical interventions for a range of conditions, including infectious eye disease and glaucoma
  • Updated surgical procedures and methods, including oculoplastic, corneal and glaucoma surgery

This is an excellent book that really looks at eye diseases and disorders with a systematic approach, as its title indicates. Plus, for the busy eye specialist – ophthalmologist and optometrist – all the contents are fully searchable, saving time in getting the specific information you need.

Authors:
Jack J. Kanski, MD, MS, FRCS, FRCOphth is Honorary Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon in the Prince Charles Eye Unit at King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor, UK.

Brad Bowling, FRCSEd (Ophth), FRCOphth is Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in Blackpool, UK.

Contributors:
Ken Nischal, FRCOphth is Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children in London, UK.

Andrew Pearson, MRCP, FRCOphth is Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Prince Charles Eye Unit, Windsor, and Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, UK.