Management of Diabetic Retinopathy CMAJ 1997;157:192 © 1997 Canadian Medical Association A.M.P. Hamilton, M.W. Ulbig and P. Polkinghorne. 296 pp. Illust. BMJ Publishing Group, London. 1996. Distributed in Canada by the Canadian Medical Association, Ottawa. $129.95 ($107.95 CMA members). ISBN 0-7279-0919-3 [ How to order this book ] Overall rating: Very good Strengths: Comprehensive; excellent photos of clinical lesions Weaknesses: Lengthy chapter on laser theory Audience: Ophthalmologists, optometrists and internists This book serves as a practical guide to the diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy. The authors cover the essential aspects of a disease that is one of the leading causes of blindness world wide. Many important topics in diabetic retinopathy -- including its epidemiologic characteristics, presentation and management -- are covered thoroughly. A large portion of the book is devoted to the diagnosis and management of 2 of the leading causes of visual loss associated with diabetic retinopathy: macular edema and proliferative retinopathy. All clinical manifestations of diabetic retinopathy are well illustrated; arrows on the photos highlight the salient pathologic features. One of the greatest strengths of this book is the detailed, yet clear, descriptions of the methodologic techniques used by the authors for the laser treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The authors have also created a series of flow charts that emphasize key clinical findings in the therapeutic process. This book is well written; however, given that it is intended as a textbook to be tucked into the clinician's white coat, the chapter on laser theory may be unnecessary. Furthermore, since most therapeutic interventions for diabetic retinopathy are evidence based, the authors' arguments could have been strengthened by direct reference to these studies. Hamilton and associates have succeeded in putting together a concise and practical book summarizing the important elements in the diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy. Sanjay Sharma, MD Director of Research Department of Ophthalmology Queen's University Kingston, Ont. Send a letter to the editor responding to this article Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cet article | CMAJ July 15, 1997 (vol 157, no 2) / JAMC le 15 juillet 1997 (vol 157, no 2) |