Social and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

Abstract

The sequence of events following a noxious stimulus which we recognize as an inflammation is conditioned not only by the type and severity of the stimulus but by variations in the host response, and the degree of resulting structural damage to the tissue will depend on the balance between these two factors.The authors of this book have attempted to describe the clinical manifestations of ocular inflammation in terms of the stimulus, the host response, and the structural changes which take place, in such a way that a logical framework for diagnosis, investigation, and treatment can be devised for each clinical entity.The first section concerns the mechanisms of inflammation as applied to the eye, and the remainder of the book is concerned with diagnostic and therapeutic principles and their application to a wide range of specific inflammations of the eye and orbit.Actual case histories are quoted to demonstrate the management advised.One must applaud the effort to provide a systematic approach to ocular inflammation, but although the book makes very interesting reading for those concerned with research the application of the theories to clinical situations does not produce any very new therapeutic concepts.The only new form of treatment is the use of heparin for retinal vasculitis and for peripheral corneal ulcers and scleritis considered to be due to ischaemia.No statistics are given with respect to vasculitis, but some improvement was obtained in 22 eyes with primary ischaemic necrosis.Although this book contains many interesting and stimulating ideas and represents a useful step forward in the understanding of ocular inflammation, there is clearly much more to be learnt before we can solve the many problems which present in everyday practice.