Glaucoma: A Guide for Patients, An Introduction for Care-Providers, A Quick Reference

Glaucoma is a disease that poses a serious threat of vision. The patient seeks to know how the disease originates, whether he did something "wrong" to cause it, whether a change in lifestyle can improve it and which treatment options are available. This book will provide patients, relatives and friends, as well as care-providers and even those simply interested in this topic, with a better understanding of the clinical picture of glaucoma.

Table of Contents:
Foreword; Introduction; Purpose of the Book; What is Glaucoma?; What is Glaucomatous Damage?; What are the Consequences of Glaucomatous Damage?; How Common is Glaucoma?; Glaucomatous Damage; Phenomenology of Glaucomatous Damage; How does Glaucomatous Damage Arise?; Classification of the Various Types of Glaucoma; Congenital Glaucoma; Infantile Glaucoma; Juvenile Glaucoma; Primary Chronic Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG); Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma; Secondary Glaucoma; Risk Factors; General Risk Factors for an Increase in IOP; Risk Factors for Glaucomatous Damage; Pathogenesis of Glaucomatous Damage; Apoptosis "Programmed Cell Death"; The Importance of Ocular Perfusion; Reperfusion Damage; Activation of Glial Cells; Altered Micro-Environment; The Pathogenetic Concept; Diagnosing Glaucoma; Which Symptoms are Noticed by the Patient?; When Should an Ophthalmologist be Consulted?; Examination by the Ophthalmologist; Documenting the Papilla and Nerve Fiber Layer; Testing the Visual Field; Assessing Ocular Perfusion; Special Examinations; Blood Chemistry; Therapy; General Remarks Regarding Treatment Options; IOP-Lowering Medication; IOP-Reducing Laser Treatment; IOP-Lowering Operations; Enhancing Ocular Perfusion; Alternative Forms of Therapy; Living with Glaucoma; Lifestyle and Nutrition; Leisure and Stress; Contact Lenses; Pregnancy and Nursing; Supplementary Chapters; Anatomy and Physiology of the Visual System; The Development of the Eye; Genetics; Optics of the Eye; Cataracts; Arteriosclerosis; Diabetis Melitus; Vascular Regulation and Dysregulation; Age-related Macular Degeneration; Visual Field Examination / Perimetry; Measuring Perfusion; Ocular Pharmacotherapy; How do Lasers Function?; Appendices; Glossary; Catalog of Medications; Additional Reading Material; Online Sites for the Visually Impaired; Ophthalmology in Developing Countries; Acknowledgments.

Review :
Prithvi S Sankar, MD(University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine) in Doody's Notes, published online in February 2007 **Description** In this third revised edition, the author delves into the definition and classification as well as the pathogenesis and the treatment of glaucoma. The first edition was published in German in 2000. **Purpose** The purpose is "to create a bridge between the professional and the interested lay reader." This is a worthy goal, since the treatment of glaucoma depends on the keen understanding of the topic by the patient. Overall, the book meets the objective. **Audience** Although the book is targeted to the lay reader, the book often goes beyond this audience. Many patients who are interested in learning a little more about glaucoma may find this book too complex to read. This book would be more appropriate for the very motivated patient who wants to learn as much as possible with one book. **Features** The book covers the definition of glaucoma as well as the causes, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of the disease. A nice section covers living with glaucoma, which is well written and practical for patients. Although the pictures and illustrations may be too complex for the average reader, they are interesting and helpful. **Assessment** Overall, this is a nice book and there are not too many written for patients about glaucoma. In this sense, the book is helpful. It is well written and the pictures are helpful. Patients with an avid interest in learning beyond what the normal patient-oriented glaucoma literature offers will find this book of value. ----------------------------------------------------------- Weighted Numerical Score: 89 - 3 Stars