Description

First published in 1992, the Contact Lens Manual: A Practical Fitting Guide by Andrew Gasson and Judith Morris has proved to be a best selling text. Since 1992, significant advances in contact lens materials, designs and the advent of disposable lenses have required the authors to undertake the unenviable task of revising the first edition, to embrace the many changes that have taken place in contact lens practice.

The book is a manual and therefore essentially a reference text, giving succinct information and instructions on the art of contact lens fitting, in a readily accessible manner. One of the key features of the text is the inclusion of highlighted sections giving practical advice, which allows the reader to instantly translate the theoretical components presented into a sensible how to do it approach. This second edition also includes a CD-ROM, which includes information on lens fitting and lens design programs and a series of colour photographs.

The manual briefly covers background information such as anatomy and physiology, properties of lens materials, manufacturing methods and instrumentation, but is sufficiently well referenced for the interested reader to pursue further detail if required. A new chapter on record keeping is included in this second edition, which is a welcome inclusion in these increasingly litigious times.

The chapters on hard lens design and fitting and are excellent. This second edition has placed less emphasis on PMMA fitting, as it is rarely used these days, and has been updated to include more modern materials and lens designs. Also included are the subject of orthokeratology and the use of reverse geometry lenses.

The chapters on soft lens design and fitting have been updated to include more information on disposable and frequent replacement lenses and extended wear. However, due to the rapid progression of the contact lens market in this area since the second edition was published, some of the lenses mentioned are now obsolete, and the new developments of silicone hydrogels and continuous wear are not included.

Information on care systems has been updated to include multipurpose solutions for the use with disposable lenses and provides an extensive overview of all methods of contact lens disinfection. The chapter on aftercare has been significantly enhanced by the CD- ROM, with colour photographs illustrating most of the potential contact lens complications. CD icons in the margins, indicating that an illustration is available on the CD-ROM, helpfully annotate the text.

Areas of specialist contact lens fitting such as scleral, paediatric and therapeutic lenses are dealt with briefly, but once again are well enough referenced for the subject to be researched in greater detail.

Overall, this second edition has been revised and improved as much as could have been expected, in view of the rapid changes within the field of contact lenses. This second edition is to be highly recommended as an essential tool for the contact lens student as well as a valuable source of inspiration and reference for the most experienced contact lens practitioners.

M13 9WH