In Vitreous Microsurgery Steve Charles clearly and concisely shares with the reader his systematic approach to complicated anterior and posterior ocular problems that are amenable to vitreous surgery.
Dr. Charles expresses strong opinions against the use of a multifunctional vitrectomy probe and confines his discussion to the use of the Ocutome vitrectomy instrument alone and in conjunction with other compatible high-technology instruments. In this regard, he lucidly explains what he feels from his experiences to be the advantages and problems involved in the use of manual 20-gauge, right-angle Sutherland scissors and pneumatic intraocular scissors for membrane segmentation and delamination, endophotocoagulation or intraocular xenon photocoagulation, bipolar diathermy .for intraocular cautery, and a power gas injector for controlled internal simultaneous fluid gas exchange and internal drainage of subretinal fluid.
In 177 pages of clearly printed and very readable text with numerous, excellent illustrations, graphs, and photographs, he first describes his basic methodology for and the handling of complications in both anterior and posterior segment surgery. In individual chapters he subsequently elaborates on the specific application of his techniques to various surgical problems including vitreous surgery with concurrent scleral buckling or scleral resection, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, massive periretinal proliferation, epimacular proliferation, giant breaks, trauma, endophthalmitis, and special pediatric traction retinal detachments. His extensive and well-organized preoperative evaluation and intraoperative techniques can be clearly understood; however, much less emphasis is placed upon actual case selection. This reasonably priced text, which is one of a series of Handbooks in Ophthalmology edited by Walter S . Schacet, would be a valuable resource for the referring general ophthalmologist who desires a concise, easily readable overview of the advanced technology and innovative procedures that are currently used in