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Emergency Ophthalmology—A Rapid Treatment Guide. Edited by Kenneth Chern. 297 pp. New York, McGraw Hill Professional, 2003. $59.95. ISBN 007-137-325X.

Madison, WI

This nifty book would have come in handy for me last year when I worked part-time in an urgent care clinic. The authors have aimed to organize most urgent ophthalmologic topics in a relatively slim handbook that is just a little too large to fit into a pocket, but at least is easy to tote from the bookshelf to the exam room. Its format is basically handbook standard; the text organized is presented in outline form, with practice pearls organized into a separate box for each chapter. It is well-organized, with numerous high-quality photographs of eye pathology, radiographic images such as MRI, and detailed anatomical diagrams.

Although there are several ophthalmologic handbooks written by and for ocular specialists, this book is perfectly targeted for a primary care audience. Residents in family medicine may occasionally want for a text that offers more detailed treatment information, but most practicing family physicians will find this book perfectly adequate for almost all situations. Although there is an emphasis on adult medicine, the coverage of pediatric ophthalmologic urgencies is also quite comprehensive.

My only quibble, and it is relatively minor, is that the authors are vague regarding interim management of patients who require referral to an ophthalmologist for definitive care. Terms such as "urgent" are used without any more specification of the time frame. Perhaps the authors have chosen to be deliberately vague with the thought that the primary care physician will obtain more specific information by phoning an ophthalmologist in consultation.

Overall, most practicing primary care physicians, especially those who have a substantial occupational health or urgent care component to their practice, will find this text a welcome addition to the clinical library.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Rapid Responses: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kramer, S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Kramer, S.