Reviewer
Dr. Jerry Rapp
Professor
SUNY State College of Optometry

Genetics for Ophthalmologists - The Molecular Genetic Basis of Ophthalmic Disorders. Graeme CM Black: Remedica Publishing, 2002, 352 pp., $40.00.>br> This book, written by Dr. Graeme Black, an authority in the area of genetic ocular disease, is a concise compendium of eye disorders that have a genetic basis and inherited systemic metabolic disease with ocular manifestations. It includes diseases of the cornea, lens and retina; glaucoma; vitreoretinal disease; optic nerve disorders; and several of the more common inborn errors of metabolism. It includes as well a very complete glossary, which can be especially helpful to eye care practitioners who are not conversant with up-to-date genetic concepts and terminology.
In addition to presenting the genetic information (e.g., inheritance pattern, chromosomal location, specific gene involved and the effect of a missense mutation) to the extent known for each condition considered, the author presents a thorough description of the clinical characteristics of each disease. High quality ocular photographs (fundus and otherwise) are often part of the presentation.
This book is clearly a wonderful reference source for clinical ophthalmologists who are dealing with genetic eye disorders. Since, to my knowledge, there are very few clinical optometrists in the U.S. working in this area, my guess is this book will have little appeal in the optometric community.