Preface
This manual is designed as a comprehensive and accessible reference for primary and specialist eye care clinicians in a conveniently structured A–Z format.
Ocular conditions are organized in alphabetical order in order to facilitate access to the information. In a conventional textbook of ocular disease, where conditions are grouped by topic, the index is often the most used section. This is because some conditions affect multiple tissues, e.g. dry eye, pterygium and keratoconjunctivitis to name but a few. Categorization can be made even more complex if there are separate chapters, such as for tumors or pediatrics.
Frequently a practitioner may know the name of a condition and have a provisional diagnosis, but want additional information in order to confi rm a diagnosis, consider additional differential diagnoses or consider alternatives for therapy. This book is designed to provide the ideal chairside reference for such situations.
The scope of conditions considered is broadly inclusive of posterior eye conditions – developmental anomalies, degenerations and dystrophies, tumors, systemic manifestations, sterile, infl ammatory, infectious and autoimmune conditions. There are consistent subheadings for every condition, including: Description, Signs, Symptoms, Prevalence, Signifi cance, Differential diagnosis, See also (related conditions) and Management. The Differential diagnosis and See also headings provide a list of related conditions that can also be used to assist in differentiating between conditions of similar appearance or etiology. The description is enhanced by a representative (rather than a ‘worst case’) image and the management guidelines are highlighted by the use of icons. The contents of the subsections and a brief guide to the icons are listed in the following pages.
Note
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our knowledge, changes in practice, treatment and drug therapy may become necessary or appropriate. Readers are advised to check the most current information provided
(i) on procedures featured or
(ii) by the manufacturer of each product to be administered, to verify the recommended dose or formula, the method and duration of administration, and contraindications. It is the responsibility of the practitioner, relying on their own experience and knowledge of the patient, to make diagnoses, to determine dosages and the best treatment for each individual patient, and to take all appropriate safety precautions. To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the Authors assumes any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property arising out or related to any use of the material contained in this book.