This book is part of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Monograph series. It represents not only a scientific approach to strabismus, but also the collective experience of its prominent authors and contributors. The stated purpose of the book is to share the combined experience of the four authors, each of whom has been instructed by some of the most prominent strabismologists of the second half of the 20th century.
At the beginning of each chapter one of the authors provides a readable description of current techniques in their areas of interest, then the editor invites the other contributors to comment on the work of fellow authors. Then two masters of strabismology, Gunter K von Noorden and the late Marshall M Parks comment and critique the work of the other authors. The result is a conglomeration of varying and sometimes contradictory opinions. Many of these conflicting approaches make for challenging and interesting reading. This text is certainly not for the faint hearted, and too complex for the junior trainee ophthalmologist; you need a solid grounding in basic strabismus assessment and surgical management to appreciate it.
This text does not claim to be an all inclusive reference book on strabismus, nor a beginners' text for those unfamiliar with basic strabismus techniques. It is clinically applicable on every level, discussing surgical strategies and important examination techniques intended for anyone performing strabismus surgery, from common horizontal muscle surgery to the most complicated restrictive, paretic, or oblique muscle re‐operation. The first chapter discusses esotropic deviations, including infantile and acquired esotropia. Then exotropic deviations are covered comprehensively. The third chapter is a detailed discussion of oblique muscle dysfunction, including inferior and superior oblique overaction and underaction. Next, dissociated deviations are covered, including a discussion of theories of causation. Paralytic strabismus is then tackled, ranging from nerve palsies to central neurological disease. There is an excellent chapter on restrictive strabismus covering the principles of assessment and treatment, and then the specific aetiologies, including thyroid ophthalmopathy, orbital wall fractures, retinal detachment surgery, cataract surgery, and congenital fibrosis syndrome. Next there is an interesting chapter on nystagmus surgery. The text ends with an excellent discussion of re‐operation strategies, including residual and consecutive deviations post surgery; both horizontal and vertical deviations are covered quite comprehensively.
The book is an excellent read if you want a complex, comprehensive, and clinically applicable discussion of strabismus surgery. It is a wonderful reference text for challenging strabismus cases. However, this is not a text for those who are not completely comfortable with the basics of strabismus assessment and surgery.