Easing anxiety

A look at the latest reference books for ophthalmologists

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Intraocular Inflammation (Springer) is an incredible reference work. Edited by Manfred Zierhut, Carlos Pavesio, Shigeaki Ohno, Fernando Oréfice and Narsing A. Rao, the editors declare that the textbook “presents the subject of intraocular inflammation in an encyclopedic style”. In the sense of comprehensiveness, this is true. But they have done more than simply compile encyclopedic knowledge. They have managed to present this information in a manner that eases the acute anxiety experienced by most ophthalmologists when confronted with inflammation of uncertain origin. This isn’t to say that diagnosing, treating and following up patients with uveitis will instantly become a simple task. No, the 155 chapters cover entities that we have all likely seen (varicella-zoster, HLA-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis), diseases we’re unlikely to ever encounter (rift valley fever virus) and some we all hope never to have to confront (sympathetic ophthalmia), at least for the sake of our patients. Part I, “General Aspects of Uveitis”, is a good introduction, but where it starts getting interesting is in Part II, “Diagnostics”. How does one use serology and taps of the anterior chamber and vitreous to best arrive at answers? What is the role of vitrectomy? Electrodiagnostics? Laser flare photometry? With the recent expansion of therapeutic possibilities, now is also the time to delve into these options: The differences between TNFα-blockers INFα and the immunoglobulins are clearly described. Readers can refer to part IV: “Complications & Their Therapy”, for advice on how to deal with the unexpected.
MEDICINAL TREATMENT Pharmacologic Therapy of Ocular Disease (Springer), edited by Scott M. Whitcup and Dimitri T. Azar, approaches medicinal treatment of ocular pathology anatomically. After Part I’s discourse on ocular pharmacokinetics and drug delivery, Part II focuses on treatment of the anterior segment and tear film. Those interested in corneal pathology will enjoy reading the authors’ predictions regarding the future therapy of keratoconus. Part III is entitled Trabecular Meshwork & Uvea, an interesting way to approach the problems of glaucoma and uveitis. Most interesting here is the chapter on translational pharmacology in glaucoma neuroprotection. Part IV covers treatment of the posterior segment and optic nerve, including the usual anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic drugs but also treatment of hereditary retinal dystrophy and dry age-related macular degeneration.