Eye on the Bayou: New Concepts in Glaucoma, Cataract and Neuro-Ophthalmology

Abstract

Jonathan D. Nussdorf, MD. Kugler Publishers, The Hague, Netherlands, 2006. ISBN: 978-90-6299-209-6, $108.00. Scope: This book is a collection of the lectures and roundtable discussions from the 54th Annual Symposium of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology. The book is divided into four main sections: neuro-ophthalmology, glaucoma, psychophysics, and anterior segment surgery. The target reader is the comprehensive ophthalmologist. Each subspecialty section contains the text of several lectures and roundtable discussions designed to address questions introduced by the preceding lectures. The roundtable panel consists of several “experts” who discuss their philosophy on difficult management issues. The neuro-ophthalmology section contains transcripts of Andrew Lee's excellent lectures on common mistakes when examining the neuro-ophthalmology patient, double vision and pupil involvement, an update on optic neuritis, and important points to communicate to patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Additionally, Lee discusses MRI, CT, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) indications in neuro-ophthalmology. The second section includes lectures by Harry Quigley and Eve Higginbotham that cover epidemiological risk factors for glaucoma such as race and sex. This is followed by a discussion on low tension glaucoma and neuroprotection. Paul Palmberg critiques the commonly held belief that glaucoma structural damage precedes visual function loss. Finally, there are several succinct synopses of recent landmark glaucoma clinical trials (CNTGS, AGIS, EMGT, CIGTS, OHTS, and EGPS) followed by an interesting roundtable discussion critiquing these clinical trials. The psychophysics section is primarily a series of lectures updating visual field testing with short wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP), frequency doubling technology (FDT), Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm (SITA), zippy estimation of sequential testing (ZEST), and tendency oriented perimetry (TOP). Additionally, there is a section on interpreting visual field loss in glaucoma and a roundtable discussion on detecting and monitoring glaucoma progression. The final section consists of several lectures on anterior segment surgery and complications. The first lecture discusses the new disease entity “toxic anterior segment syndrome.” The remaining lectures are discussions of the basics of laser trabeculoplasty and clinical pearls on performing and managing trabeculectomy. Two roundtable discussions cover trabeculectomy skills by providing further pearls and suggestions for surgical infection prophylaxis. Strengths: This book contains many useful diagnostic pearls relevant to comprehensive ophthalmologists. The text is easy to follow. The neuro-ophthalmology section is especially well done and practical. The roundtable discussions are insightful. Weaknesses: The topics covered are relatively narrow. There is no index. If readers are not looking for updates on the specific topics, they may find the book focused on too little. Recommended Audience: This book is aimed to the comprehensive ophthalmologist or specialist interested in updating knowledge in a different subspecialty. Additionally, individuals who attended the 54th Annual Symposium of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology can use this book to review the material. Critical Appraisal: This book provides a practical, succinct update on narrow but important topics to the practicing comprehensive ophthalmologist or resident physician. Christopher Thiagarajah, MD Karl Golnik, MD, MEd University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Eye Institute Cincinnati, Ohio