Ophthalmic LasersCharles M. Wormington. Boston: Butterworth‐Heinemann, 2003. Pages: 544. Price: 59. 95. ISBN: 0–7506–9572–2.

Ophthalmic Lasers is a paperback book of 544 pages. The author of the book has set out on a very difficult task: to describe and instruct on the universe of lasers used in ophthalmic practice today. When most of us consider ophthalmic lasers, we think of 4 or 5 key applications such as laser trabeculoplasty or lasers in refractive correction and call it a day. This book is significantly inclusive and covers a very wide range of both diagnostic as well as therapeutic laser applications. The book consists of 10 chapters that are organized based on the clinical applications of various lasers. Also of great importance are the opening two chapters on Basic Tissue Interactions and on Clinical Instrumentation. These two chapters set the stage for the discussions to come and competently prepare the clinician with a basic understanding of lasers, their physical properties and their clinical applications as ophthalmic instruments. Although the physical characteristics of lasers, the physics behind the instruments, and the tissue interactions are less easily understood by clinicians, the importance of understanding these principles is paramount for a good clinician. The following eight chapters are laid out in significantly more clinically relevant format. The author states that the book is based on lectures that he has given through the years. The book is written in outline form and has the distinct feel of a well-written, continuing education handout. My personal bias is for books not to be outlines, and I began my assessment with that bias at hand. As I progressed through the book, I quickly changed my mind and found the outline style of the book to be quite helpful in quickly finding information. The author has been quite consistent in his outlining style and has made good use of bold print to help the reader quickly identify areas of interest on the page. The clinical chapters (chapters 3–10) are broad and varied. Chapter 3, Ophthalmic Diagnostic Uses of Lasers, could be quite helpful to clinicians interested in assessing the technologies that are currently being used in optic nerve head and nerve fiber layer assessment. The technologies are discussed and their appropriate clinical applications are reviewed with the pros and cons of each application discussed. In addition, this chapter discusses several laser-based technologies that have yet to come to the ophthalmic market, but very well may be part of our future armamentarium. The traditional areas of interest are very adequately covered, including Clinical Laser Vision Correction, Laser Posterior Capsulotomy, Laser Iridotomy, Lasers in Glaucoma, and a host of minor procedures used in anterior segment care. Each of these topics is covered with very specific procedural outlines that include patient preparation, step-by-step details of the procedure, and postoperative management, including a reasonably exhaustive list of complications. The final chapter of the book deals with laser eye safety. The book is sprinkled with black and white photos of instruments and clinical examples of laser applications or complications. Of note is the plethora of tables that condense exhaustive literature reviews for the reader. For example, the clinician can look down a large table to see a summary of laser trabeculoplasty studies that have been important in the development of our body of knowledge in this area. This approach can save vast amounts of time for a busy clinician. Also of note is the very exhaustive list of references throughout the book. Those readers who want to find the classic papers that support our current understanding of this body of knowledge will find them well represented at the end of each chapter. In summary, I found this book to be an interesting read. Even in light of my bias against outline style books I believe that the majority of readers will gain something from the book that will enhance their ability to care for their patients.