It represents a compilation of the pertinent facts gleaned from the many studies in the area of laser photocoagulation for retinal disease. At the beginning of each chapter, there is a outline identifying each element of the chapter. This offers an easy referencing system for the frequent occasions when the book may be used to quickly find a pertinent fact, definition, or laser setting. Chapters begin with epidemiologic information to provide the proper perspective and importance of the material that follows.
Pathogenesis is discussed briefly, followed by a thorough discussion of treatment.
A feature that I found particularly useful was a literature review near the end of each chapter that identifies and summarizes not only the current large, multicenter, randomized clinical trials but also other important studies that may have contributed to or set the framework for the larger studies. The weakness of the book is also its strength. Nearly all illustrations are black and white but adequately convey pertinent information to the reader. This is not a text to learn retinal diagnosis, and do not expect color fundus stereophotographs as this is not the intent of the book. In summary, Laser Surgery of the Posterior Segment is an unbiased compilation of essential literature dealing with laser treatment of posterior segment disease and is an important contribution to the reference armamentarium of all ophthalmologists participating in the laser treatment of such disorders.