Vascular diseases of the retina are a major cause of blindness among all age groups. Edited and written by internationally well-known experts, this state-of-the-art comprehensive overview of basic and clinical science will enhance the understanding of retinal vascular disease and help in the evaluation of current and future treatment approaches for the clinician. The well-structured and highly illustrated text is divided into the following three main sections:
Pathogenesis of retinal vascular disease General concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal vascular disease Pathology, clinical course and treatment of retinal vascular disease Reader-friendly through:
Step-by-step explanation of all treatment procedures Richly illustrated by clinical image series including illustrated single case follow-up
This unique textbook-atlas also includes topics which are not currently found in other retinal disease textbooks, such as case reports and clinical follow-ups. General ophthalmologists, retina specialists as well as ophthalmologists in training will find this book highly stimulating and useful for their daily practice.
Doody Review Services
**Reviewer:**Daniel V Will, MD(University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine)
**Description:**This book on retinal disease is a welcome addition to the compendium of ophthalmic textbooks. It begins with a detailed review of the basic science topics, then explores approaches to treating retinal diseases, and concludes descriptions of clinical entities such as diabetes, uveitis, and tumors. Treatments for each are discussed with an emphasis on modern techniques. The book includes individual practitioners' approaches to disease processes as well as reviews of the published literature, as well as case reports and clinical follow-ups.
**Purpose:**It is intended as a state-of-the-art review of basic and clinical science, "which aims to enhance our understanding of retinal vascular disease and help the clinician in the evaluation of current and future treatment." This worthy objective, for the most part, is met.
**Audience:**The authors intend the book to be useful for retina specialists, ophthalmologists, and doctors in training. The subject of angiogenesis is pertinent to all ophthalmic practitioners, both practicing and in training.
**Features:**Several interesting features distinguish this book. Each chapter outlines the core objectives and blocks off tips and tricks in separate sections. The well illustrated in-depth basic science review is one of the most unique aspects. Summarizing evaluation and treatment of retinal vascular disease comprehensively yet succinctly is a challenge that the various authors meet. Anti-VEGF agents are discussed throughout the book, but the most common ocular indication for the drug class's use, choroidal vascular diseases such as age related macular degeneration, is not specifically addressed in a separate chapter. A weakness of the book is its limited discussion of bevacizumab, which, although not developed specifically for use in the eye, is widely used. In some retinal vascular diseases, it is the only anti-VEGF agent for which there is peer-reviewed literature to support its use. However, timing of publication may have something to do with this as it is an area of intense research and rapid change. Clear statements of financial disclosure would keep readers from wondering whether the book is biased, particularly as the book includes a full-page Lucentis ad.
**Assessment:**Overall, this is a nice book written by many excellent authors. Most unique is the basic science review of retinal vascular disease. The topic is discussed in greater detail than in Ryan's Retina, 4th edition (Elsevier, 2006), considered by many to be the standard vitreoretinal textbook. The limited discussion of bevacizumab is a definite weakness, but this book is still useful for clinicians and clinicians in training.