ABC of EYES (4th edn)

  • P Shah,
  • Pent T Khaw &
  • Andrew Elkington
2004, £25.00, 104 pp ISBN 0727916599 | ISBN: 0-727-91659-9

We have had to wait 5 years for this the fourth edition of the ABC of EYES but it has been worth the wait. Its a vast improvement from the previous edition with its symptom-based approach to treatment and diagnosis. Every chapter has been updated and the illustrations and pictures are ideal. Although the book has much more information than the previous edition it still remains simple and easy to read. This book is able to cover most of the common eye diseases in enough detail to make it up-to-date and complete, yet it is so concise that the book remains small and unintimidating. Chapter 14, the Global impact of eye disease is a great ending for this book. It allows the student or practitioner to think outside his own practice. It puts eye disease into a worldwide context and educates the reader on issues affecting the worldwide community. They have been able to keep pace with technology by introducing a CD-ROM and PDA edition. The CD-ROM has a very useful search function that makes finding information quick and easy. The book will be useful for students or practitioners trying to gain knowledge in common eye problems. Although the book has improved and adopted a symptom-based approach, there is still room for improvement in making it a quick reference book in an emergency department. It would be difficult for doctors working in emergency departments to use it to get information quickly on how to manage and treat conditions based on presenting symptoms. Medical students, dental students, nurses, and anyone involved in the care of eye patients will find this a simple and easy-to-read book with enough detail to satisfy the high achiever. Medical trainees would have two complaints about this book. Firstly, it does not highlight the main points of core knowledge required. Secondly, it does not have a question and answers section or supplement. I will recommend this book to anyone who deals with eye problems. I will also recommend it to students looking for a quick and up-to-date book for medical examination.