Strengths: Well-written, brief overview
Weaknesses: In certain areas of refraction and vision the authors mention questionable causes of refractive error and detail rarely used or available procedures to correct them
Audience: The public
In the chapter on refraction and vision the authors make some questionable statements about the causes of refractive error; for example, that myopia is aggravated by excessive reading or close work and that children who ate little protein were observed to have a greater degree of myopia than other children. They also imply that hyperopia is a problem (it is not). The chapter fails to emphasize the danger of extended wear of contact lenses. There are lengthy dissertations on rare and questionable procedures such as keratomileusis and epikeratophakia. However, the sections on radial keratotomy and photorefractive keratec-tomy are reasonably well done.
Chapter 5 deals with age-related changes and is a good summary of the common conditions of cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration. The next chapter, on other common eye problems, is a good summary for lay readers. A chapter on eye emergencies is well done and emphasizes some important problems. I was particularly impressed with chapters 8 and 9, on environmental modifications for visually impaired people, and with the final chapter on low- vision aids and future developments. This last topic may prove exciting to young people interested in research. The glossary is good and reasonably complete, although the definitions are, of necessity, short.
This book has appeal for the public, especially young people, who may want a brief summary of eyes.
John H. Quigley, MD
Halifax, NS