Visual & Vestibular Consequences of Acquired Brain InjuryIrwin B.Suchoff, Kenneth J.Ciuffreda, NeeraKapoor, eds. Santa Ana, CA: Optometric Extension Program, 2001. Pages: 244. Price: $35.00. ISBN: 0‐943599‐42‐3.

Visual & Vestibular Consequences of Acquired Brain Injury Irwin B. Suchoff, Kenneth J. Ciuffreda, Neera Kapoor, eds. Santa Ana, CA: Optometric Extension Program, 2001. Pages: 244. Price: $35.00. ISBN: 0-943599-42-3. With advancements in medical care, surviving an acquired brain injury (ABI) has become increasingly more common. Victims of ABI often require extended medical services and are often unable to return to the workforce. Optometric evaluation and treatment of ABI patients has been found to help facilitate overall rehabilitation in many cases. In this book, the editors attempt to provide optometrists with a general understanding of ABI, the ocular and visual consequences associated with ABI, and the developing clinical strategies that address these issues. The readers may gain a better understanding of the interactions between the visual and vestibular systems. Many descriptions of the anatomy and neurophysiology involved in these systems are provided with several case presentations to further illustrate the clinical implications of lesions in these areas. They also attempt to provide the reader with a better understanding of the team approach to ABI rehabilitation and the professionals most likely to be a part of that team. This book is a compilation of the work of several authors. Most, if not all, of these chapters were written as freestanding articles or presentations; therefore there is some overlap and redundancy throughout the book. The initial chapters provide very basic, general information on ABI and ABI rehabilitation. The first chapter describes briefly the visual and ocular sequelae of ABI and optometry's role in ABI rehabilitation. The second chapter is particularly well written and informative regarding interdisciplinary management of ABI patients. The author describes the essential role of each professional in the management of the patient's rehabilitation. He thoroughly discusses the most frequent challenges that occur in the rehabilitation process. Financial issues for the ABI patient and his/her family members are also mentioned. Chapter 3 discusses the neuropsychological evaluation and therapy for ABI patients. This chapter is particularly helpful because the neuropsychologist is often directing the rehabilitation program with a physiatrist. The fourth chapter also discusses neuropsychology but with regard to more mild brain injuries. The optometric role in evaluation and management of these patients is discussed slightly more in this chapter. A nice addition in this section is the brief mention of pediatric patients with ABI, which is absent throughout most of the rest of the book. The next several chapters deal specifically with optometric evaluations and management in ABI patients. Chapter 5 introduces accommodative dysfunction in ABI patients; it is well referenced and very basic in its discussion. It is not all inclusive of common accommodative problems encountered in ABI. Chapters 6 and 7 discuss the effectiveness of vision therapy in treating the binocular vision and oculomotor consequences of ABI. The seventh chapter nicely describes several binocular vision cases, but leaves out the specific treatment plans. The reader is referenced to a previous book written by one of the authors. Thus, this chapter is more helpful if you have access to this binocular vision text. Chapter 8 is intended to discuss visual field assessment in ABI patients. It does this initially, but then goes into detail regarding behavioral testing for hemi-field inattention or neglect. This chapter assumes the reader has previous knowledge of the spatial neglect observed in ABI patients, especially status post cerebral vascular accidents. Chapter 9 continues with discussions regarding the egocentric shift that is believed to occur in the above mentioned patients. Yoked prism therapy is described in this section. However, neither chapter explains the effects of neglect on the activities of daily living and the many problems associated in the rehabilitation of these patients. They are written to a reader who is already familiar with neglect patients. Chapter 10 describes the photosensitivity commonly observed in traumatic brain injured patients. The author presents some clinical research on various filters for the treatment of the symptoms and their effects. It also describes the reduced dark adaptation also found in these photosensitive patients. Various theories are presented for these phenomena. The remaining chapters discuss vestibular dysfunction associated with ABI, vestibular therapy, and optometric implications and co-management in patients. The vestibular system is described in varying detail in each of the three chapters. Cases are presented to illustrate these concepts. The book is organized well; although there is much redundancy between the chapters. The first half is written for the reader who has very limited knowledge of ABI rehabilitation; however, I believe the second portion assumes more than a beginner's knowledge and experience. The last several chapters describe concepts and therapies that come from the more behavioral clinical theories. Overall, I believe that the editors achieved their goals.