Neuro‐Ophthalmology Review Manual, 5th Ed. Lanning B. Kline and Frank J. Bajandas. Thorofare, NJ: Slack Inc. , 2001. Pages: 304. Price: 45. 00. ISBN: 1‐55642‐470‐1.

Neuro-Ophthalmology Review Manual, 5th Ed. Lanning B. Kline and Frank J. Bajandas. Thorofare, NJ: Slack Inc. , 2001. Pages: 304. Price: 45. 00. ISBN: 1-55642-470-1. This is the most recent update of the Neuro-Ophthalmology Review Manual that was first written by Frank Bajandas. Changes in the Fifth Edition include updating the chapters on control of eye movements and nystagmus, as well as the addition of chapters describing the phakomatoses and disorders of higher visual function. There have also been additions to the chapters on visual fields, optic atrophy, and eyelid disorders. Tables and figures have also been updated. The manual is divided into 20 chapters covering a wide spectrum of topics in this complex field. Each chapter covers an individual topic in neuro-ophthalmology. The chapters are presented in outline format with most pertinent information being presented clearly and concisely. The format makes the information easy to follow and easy to find. In general, the information is complete, although certainly not as complete and well documented as in several of the excellent textbooks in this field. However, this is certainly to be expected because it is meant to be a review guide rather than a textbook. One strength of this guide is the excellent (simple, yet complete) diagrams found in every chapter. The figures are universally well drawn and communicate both the anatomical and clinical considerations in a thorough and easy to understand manner. I find them to be an excellent teaching tool for students who are having difficulty understanding certain concepts. The order of the chapters is somewhat puzzling; it is difficult to determine the logic of the order in which topics are presented. Unlike most textbooks on the subject, it is not divided into sections on afferent and efferent disorders. Because it is a review manual, this is a minor point, but still a bit confusing. Something that concerned me when I first perused this manual was the wording of some of the chapter titles. When I first saw The Six Syndromes of the VI Nerve, I was a little concerned that I might see syndromes named after some obscure German ophthalmologist or neurologist whose names tell us nothing about the disease process. I was happily surprised when I saw the use of anatomical names for the syndromes, such as The Brainstem Syndrome, The Sub-Arachnoid Space Syndrome, and The Cavernous Sinus Syndrome. These distinctions and descriptions are nice because they allow the clinician or student to remember them in an anatomical context, which once one understands the anatomy, makes it much easier to remember the associated signs and symptoms. Granted, in several of these sections, there are subheadings with named syndromes (such as Millard-Gubler Syndrome and Foville's Syndrome), but this is unavoidable given the history of neuro-ophthalmology. In general, I find this volume to be very good at what it intends to be—a review manual. It should be an excellent resource for optometry students or ophthalmology residents who are studying for board examinations and a good quick reference for the clinician. If one needs a thorough knowledge of neuro-ophthalmology, this is not the only book needed. However, as an adjunct to some of the excellent textbooks (similar to the way Cliffs Notes was an excellent adjunct to The Scarlet Letter in high school English class), this manual does its job well.