field? In the preface, the authors state that this book follows an unconventional approach, being based on signs (for example, pigmentation of the retina) rather than on the tissue (for example, diseases of the pigment epithelium). They state that this strategy should help the clinician move more rapidly from the clinical appearance to the diagnosis and management. While interesting, this approach has been used a number of times. A recent example is Practical Ophthalmology by Pane and Simcock, published in 2005 (ISBN 00443101124). The current book adds little to the field. Other books, such as the Wills Eye Manual fourth edition, provide a more structured and useful guide to clinical decision-making. Some important areas in this book, such as glaucoma, are excessively brief and show the individual clinical interests of the authors. The information on treatments is minimal and requires reference to other books. Where this book shines is in providing a different point of view. The vast majority of books on ocular disease are written in the United States and are based on American experience. It is a breath of fresh air to read a book describing clinical practice in Europe. One example is the discussion of a relatively common genetic condition in the Netherlands called familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). While FEVR is known in the USA (see fevr.genetics.utah.edu), it is not mentioned in any standard text. As a country that accepts migrants from all over the world, Australian optometrists need to be aware of conditions that exist outside of the USA. Another interesting feature of the book is the use of Goldmann perimetry. Automated static perimetry such as the Humphrey Field Analyser has monopolised visual field plotting in most current ocular disease books. It is refreshing to see that kinetic perimetry still exists in the world. While static perimetry is very useful in quantifying the depth and progression of a scotoma, kinetic perimetry offers the advantage of quickly describing the extent and topography of a scotoma. Kinetic perimetry remains valuable in modern
optometry by providing functional visual
assessments in many low vision patients. We need to remain aware of this older technology. The Ocular Fundus offers the clinician an easy-to-read atlas of a wide range of diseases of the posterior eye. The photographs are excellent and the clinical tips clear and effective. Unfortunately, there is a number of better clinical atlases on the bookshelves. While this atlas is a refreshing holiday in Europe, the US books still remain the clinical standard.
Manual of Contact Lens
Prescribing and Fitting, 3rd edition Milton Hom and Adrian Bruce USA: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2006 576 pages, RRP $110.00 Reviewed by JOHN MOUNTFORD, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia E-mail: besty@bigpond.net.au
The editors have done a brilliant job with
this book. The list of contributors reads as a Whos Who of optometric contact lens research and practice and all are leaders in their respective fields. This is a book of wonderful facts. Each topic is expressed and explained in concise, accurate prose, with the common use of a closer look text boxes to highlight important messages. Part 1 introduces Basic Concepts and covers anatomy and physiology, anterior segment disease associated with contact lenses, examination and instrumentation, patient selection and contact lens optics. The facts start on page 1 with a superb description of the tear film and corneal physiology by William Ridder, followed by an excellent chapter on anterior segment disease and contact lens wear by Arlene Orehek, Joseph Shovlin and Michael dePaolis. There is no wasted prose and the extensive literature review in each of the chapters has been distilled
down to the important facts needed by
clinicians. The second section covers gaspermeable lenses, from design and fitting to materials, patient selection and virtually every other aspect of practical use. The design section deals mainly with American fitting philosophies, although some attention is paid to the newer concepts of sag fitting and topography-based fitting. The main difference I detected is the use of what would be considered to be small TD lenses, where for years, the trend in Australia has been towards larger diameter RGPs. The section on fluorescein pattern analysis is enhanced by the use of threedimentional graphics to explain the actual shape of the tear layer beneath the lens. The accompanying CD ROM is a superb addition to the book, as actual videos of lenses on eye are shown in conjunction with the text. This is a powerful tool for teaching students, who get little exposure to RGP lenses and to the variations in fluorescein patterns with lens fit and movement. Soft lens design and fitting are covered with the same detail in the third section. The physiological response to soft lenses and the strategies used to minimise complications are covered in depth, with excellent graphics. The fourth section on rigid (Craig Woods) and soft (Lyndon Jones and Kathy Dumbleton) extended wear lenses and complications is one of the best I have read. Once again, it is the distillation of the facts that makes this book so easy and enjoyable to read. The special topics section deals with dry eyes (a superb section), monovision, keratoconus, post-penetrating keratoplasty, aphakia, refractive surgery, paediatric contact lens fitting, orthokeratology and coloured contact lenses. The keratoconus section by Shelley Cutler and Milton Hom covers a multitude of different lens designs and fitting philosophies, and has numerous clinical pearls for overcoming the difficulties encountered in this type of lens fitting. Paediatric fitting (Christine Sindt) covers a topic that is very close to my heart and she does it brilliantly. It is exciting to learn different approaches to
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Book reviews
fitting babies and children with different
types of contact lenses and once again, there are numerous facts derived from long-term practice offered. John Rinehart does an excellent job on the topic of orthokeratology. Each chapter in the book has an associated section in the CD-ROM, where video images and high definition slitlamp photographs can be viewed as a means of clarifying the text. The book does not have coloured graphics, so the correct interpretation of topographical maps and fluorescein patterns must be done in conjunction with the CD. This may appear to be a timeconsuming process but I found it to be a simple matter to read the book and switch to the CD as needed. I could think of only two additions that are necessary for this book. First, there is no dedicated chapter on corneal topography and its absolute value to modern contact lens practice. Although different sections (keratoconus and orthokeratology) use corneal maps as part of the discussion, the topic deserves its own chapter. Second, computer-aided and topographybased contact lens fitting needs greater explanation and expansion. Modern corneal topographers have revolutionised the way complex contact lenses are designed and fitted, both by reducing the chair time required to do the actual fitting (for example, keratoconus and bitoric fitting) and in the remake rate. Phillips and Speedwell1 have included lens design software in their book Contact Lenses and a section on this area would be a welcome addition to this book. This book should be required reading for every optometric student and new graduates who are starting contact lens practice. I found it so enjoyable to read and so full of facts that I highly recommend it to all my colleagues. 1. Phillips AJ, Speedwell L. Contact Lenses, 5th ed. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann. In press.
2006 The Authors
Journal compilation 2006 Optometrists Association Australia
Clinical and Experimental Optometry 89.4 July 2006