BOOK REVIEW

Cataract surgery remains the ophthalmologist’s staple procedure. And yet, despite great advances in technique and equipment, complex cases remain surprisingly difficult for most surgeons. Cases in eyes with pre-existing pathology have much higher complication rates than those in “standard” eyes. This is, in part, because these eyes are often inherently more susceptible, and because many are referred to tertiary centres, where much of the expertise resides. Cataract Surgery in Complicated Cases covers essentially all non-standard cataract operations. Chapter 1 covers Paediatric Cataract, a pathology with which most ophthalmologists have very little first-hand experience. “A good outcome requires absolute precision in every step of surgery; having said that, late complications may develop with even the most successful surgery, and these may lead to a poor anatomical and functional result,” the authors remind us.

The book continues with more frequently encountered cases, such as cataract in glaucoma patients; in pseudoexfoliation; small-pupil; brunescent cataract; high myopia and severe hyperopia; in retinitis pigmentosa; uveitic eyes; floppy iris; diabetic eyes; traumatic cataract; iris abnormalities; corneal pathology; cataract surgery following implantation of a phakic intraocular lens; secondary lens implants; and IOL explantation and replacement.

This book is appropriate for advanced residents, cataract surgery fellows, young ophthalmologists with significant experience in standard phaco procedures, and all those who are looking to expand the range of patients that they can operate.

SURGICAL OPTIONS
Maria da Luz Freitas’ Adult Glaucoma Surgery (Jaypee) is a brief introduction to the world of IOP-lowering surgery. Through eight chapters and 65 pages, this book begins with the standard trabeculectomy, “the most widely used surgical option for glaucoma at a global level. The reasons for its success are its efficacy, relatively low cost and vast experience.”

Equally useful is the chapter on posterior drainage devices such as the Molteno, Ahmed and Baerveldt implants. “The fear of late trabeculectomy complications with MMC…along with increasingly positive results from newer drainage devices have changed the scene of surgical options in glaucoma.”

The ExPress Mini Glaucoma shunt is briefly covered, as is trabecular micro-bypass surgery and canaloplasty. Particularly interesting are the chapters on combined surgery, in which glaucoma surgery is combined with cataract extraction; and lens surgery in glaucoma. This book is most appropriate for glaucoma fellows and general ophthalmologists who are considering adding glaucoma surgery to their arsenal. 

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