This second volume in the Essentials in
Ophthalmology series provides detailed and
concise updates of the major topics in cataract
and refractive surgery. Because of the remarkable
growth of these two subspecialties, our
challenge was to highlight new advances, with
the primary emphasis on clinical applications.
The section on cataracts calls attention to recent
progress in surgical techniques and the management
of complications. Topics include new
anaesthesia and small incision techniques, new
devices (ophthalmic viscosurgical devices and
intraocular lenses), prevention and management
of complications and the treatment of difficult
cases, such as mature, uveitic and paediatric
cataracts.
As refractive surgery now encompasses an increasing
array of procedures, the book covers
excimer laser surface and lamellar procedures,
incisional corneal surgery and the use of intraocular
implants to correct refractive errors.
Particular emphasis is placed on topics related
to quality of vision, such as wavefront technology,
measuring quality of vision and issues in
pupil measurement.We believe that these issues
will be of growing importance as refractive surgical
techniques are refined. Interestingly,many
of the topics in this section are also pertinent to
cataract surgery, reflecting the merging of technologies
that is occurring in these two major
ophthalmic subspecialties.
The goal of the editors of this book has been to
provide up-to-date, clinically relevant overviews
in these fields and to highlight the most interesting
areas of research and controversy. This
was only possible with the support of our many
outstanding authors. We truly appreciate the
thought, time and care they put into their chapters.
We would also like to thank the series editors
for giving us the opportunity to do the
book, Springer for its excellent work on all aspects
of preparing it and our wives, Eva-Maria
and Marcia, for their wonderful support during
its realization.
Thomas Kohnen
Douglas D.Koch
Preface