Glaucoma

This first volume in the seriesEssentials in Oph- thalmology seeks to bring the ophthalmic prac- titioner up to date on the important new ad- vances or changes in glaucoma diagnosis and management occurring in the last 10 years.
The last decade has seen significant changes in our understanding of the pathophysiology of some glaucomas,in our diagnostic approaches and in our management.Toward the goal of providing the most up-to-date information in a readable fashion, we have asked some of the world’s ex- perts to discuss areas to which they have con- tributed in a way that will be useful for the prac- ticing doctor. For example, we have begun to chip away at the genetic secrets of glaucoma; Professor Tamm discusses this complicated and exciting field.Our comprehension of angle clo- sure glaucoma has also changed markedly. Ten years ago, angle closure was simple with only a few mechanisms identified.The ultrasound bio- microscope has radically changed our under- standing of this disease and added several pre- viously unknown mechanisms to this common and often frustrating condition.Tello et al. give us the latest information on angle closure with beautifully illustrated ultrasound images that clearly show the mechanisms involved. Schlötzer-Schrehardt describes the latest find- ings in exfoliative glaucoma. Ritch updates our understanding of pigmentary glaucoma. New diagnostic devices that image the optic nerve and help detect change have appeared;Zangwill and coworkers help us to understand what works and what doesn’t in this rapidly evolving field. It wasn’t too long ago that the treatment basis of glaucoma was questioned. Brandt and Wilson review the several large studies that have outlined the modern treatment of open angle glaucoma. Discussions of the pathophysiology of some of the secondary glaucomas are also in- cluded. New surgical approaches are dissected and evaluated. Many of the mechanisms dis- cussed and illustrated in this volume have not appeared in textbook format before. We hope that the topics and authors that we have select- ed are helpful in improving the understanding of the many faces of glaucoma and, ultimately, will contribute to reduced visual loss and better care for our patients.