The Myopia Epidemic: Nearsightedness, Vision Impairment and Other Vision ProblemsTheodoreGrosvenor. Ferndale, WA: Twenty Twenty Publications, 2002. Pages: 239. Price: $20.00.

The Myopia Epidemic: Nearsightedness, Vision Impairment and Other Vision Problems Theodore Grosvenor. Ferndale, WA: Twenty Twenty Publications, 2002. Pages: 239. Price: $20.00. Dr. Ted Grosvenor drew upon his vast clinical knowledge, scientific publications, and personal experiences to write a text for the public and for beginning optometry students on a variety of topics ranging from myopia to glaucoma. The book is intended to teach readers about a variety of commonly diagnosed vision disorders and to impress upon them the importance of preventive measures and routine care to reduce the potential for debilitating vision problems. Although the topics cover a variety of subjects, the crux of the information regards refractive error, with an emphasis on a topic near and dear to Dr. Grosvenor—myopia. Each chapter begins with at least one quotation to illustrate the historical content of the chapter or the basic problems highlighted in the chapter. There is also an abundance of line drawings and reproduced graphs to illustrate concepts and display data graphically. There is an illustrated glossary at the back of the book to help lay people define many of the terms used throughout the book. The book begins with a primer on the basics of the visual process, refractive error, and optical correction. Definitions and illustrations explain the basics of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and visual acuity. There are also several examples of multifocal spectacle lenses and contact lenses to set up future discussions of the correction of refractive errors. The following four chapters are devoted to the causes, management, and potential consequences of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. A case report of retinal detachment that Dr. Grosvenor experienced personally, not as doctor but as a patient, is included in the discussion of potential myopia consequences. Dr. Grosvenor discusses the control of myopia with several agents, including undercorrection, vision training, multifocal spectacles, cycloplegic eye drops, and contact lenses. Dr. Grosvenor concludes, “Of all of the methods that have been used in attempts to control myopia progression in children, those that hold the greatest promise are the use of bifocals or progressive addition lenses for children who have esophoria.” Dr. Grosvenor also discusses many of the methods of surgical correction for myopia to give patients an idea what is involved in each procedure. The book also reports visual impairments that are increasing in importance as our population continues to age, such as age related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Coping strategies, such a low vision rehabilitation are discussed to illustrate the array of devices that are available to the public to ease the frustration of low vision. The concluding chapter discusses the lack of current preventive measures for several vision problems, but it also talks about the use of sunglasses to reduce the risk of cataracts and a recent publication that recommends the use of supplements to delay the progression of age related macular degeneration. Dr. Grosvenor concluded with a new theory regarding the cause of the increased prevalence of myopia. He believes that the increase in myopia prevalence is caused by a pressure placed on children to read during a critical period of vision development. Regarding the potential prevention of myopia, he states, “…I'm hopeful that the very early emphasis on reading and other near work that is responsible for so much myopia in Asia can be avoided (in the United States).” Dr. Grosvenor's book is helpful for the lay person to understand refractive error and it's potential consequences. However, there are a few omissions from the information presented, including selective muscarinic antagonists for myopia control, current data on orthokeratology procedures, and a balance of literature that reports the benefits of atropine for myopia control. Despite these omissions, the text provides a great primer for patients that is explained in a clear, logical manner. Dr. Grosvenor's lifetime of contributions to the scientific community are illustrated in this publication and should be applauded loudly.