Media Type: Textbook

Synopsis: This textbook provides a comprehensive, yet concise, review of the current understanding of pterygia and existing treatment options. It is a clear, well-written account, highlighted with excellent figures that help illustrate the main points of the text and the steps of the various surgical techniques described.

Target Audience: Comprehensive and Cornea / External Disease

Review: Dr John Hovanesian has been a pioneer in the introduction of sutureless surgical techniques in the United States, as well as prolific educator teaching numerous courses at national meetings in an effort to share his surgical techniques and expertise with other ophthalmologists. In this volume, he also collects the expertise of a team of international experts in the field of pterygium and ocular surface surgery to provide an excellent review of the topic of surgical treatment of pterygium. This text has wide-ranging appeal and could be useful to an ophthalmology resident approaching their first pterygium surgery, an expert surgeon seeking a balanced review of the surgical techniques, modifications, and adjuncts that are currently used in pterygium surgery, or anyone in between.

The book is comprised of 12 readable and relevant chapters that smoothly guide the reader through the main themes of the text. The book begins with a comprehensive and very readable review of the etiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of pterygia. This is followed by a chapter reviewing the fascinating history of treatments for pterygium. The next three chapters elegantly break down the common surgical techniques, modifications, and adjuncts that are currently used in pterygium surgery. The next four chapters describe in detail the ocular surface uses of amniotic membrane, both for treatment of pterygia and other conjunctival reconstructions. Next is a useful discussion of postoperative management and complications, followed by a chapter devoted exclusively to the discussion of pterygium recurrence. Finally, there is a chapter on the topic of conjunctivochalasis, an often overlooked entity that can lead to significant patient symptomatology. Although somewhat brief and hidden within this text focused primarily on pterygia, this is a nice “extra”. The book is well-written, easy to read, and has a remarkably uniform style across the chapters.

It provides a basic science background in a clinical context that is both readable and relevant. The entire book is written in a practical tone, and provides step-by-step instructions for the surgical techniques that are described. There are numerous excellent color figures throughout the text, including schematic images, clinical and surgical photographs, histopathologic photomicrographs, and other figures and tables that illustrate and clarify the main points of the text and the steps of the surgeries. There is adequate discussion on pros and cons for most of the surgical techniques that are described.

In summary, this book provides a concise and comprehensive review of the clinical entity of pterygium, as well as very practical tips on how to best treat this condition. This book will appeal to a broad population of ophthalmologists who would like to be informed about the spectrum of surgical techniques and adjuncts currently used to treat pterygia.