Andrew Coombes

David Gartry

, One of the titles from: Fundamentals of Clinical Ophthalmology BMJ Books, London ISBN 0-7279-1201-1

Cataract Surgery, is a part of the series of ophthalmic monographs, written for ophthalmologists in training and general ophthalmologists wishing to update their knowledge in specialised areas. The present book aims to cover the subject of cataract surgery comprehensively with special reference to the technical aspects of learning, performing, and teaching phacoemulsification. The book starts with a chapter on teaching and learning phacoemulsification. This follows on to the sections on incision planning and construction, capsulorrhexis, phacoemulsification equipment and applied phacodynamics, and the phacoemulsification technique. Each of the chapters is well written, well illustrated and is provided with relevant referencing. The text in these chapters provides the reader with a valid thought process and a thorough understanding of basics and advanced techniques of phacoemulsification. This is followed by chapters on biometry and intraocular-lens power calculation, foldable intraocular lens and the various types of viscoelastics. A description of nonphacoemulsification emulsification cataract surgery, various anaesthetic techniques for cataract surgery and causes and how to deal with complications of phacoemusification forms the basis of the following chapters. The last two chapters have been devoted to cataract surgery in the third world and to the possible future of cataract surgery.

All the chapters are comprehensive, up-to-date, very clinical and well illustrated and can be readily applied to every day clinical practice. In brief, this book as a part of a series provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of different techniques of cataract surgery and could be helpful as a quick reference guide for ophthalmologists. References at the end of each chapter would help the readers who would like to know more detail.