Platelets: Production, Function, Transfusion, and Storage

Still another attractive book attempting to describe the cause, course, and current treatment of diabetic retinopathy is now available. This particular volume represents papers presented at a Symposium held in 1972. Of course the thinking on the subject of diabetic retinopathy is in a rapidly changing phase, and therefore comments and discussion, even from serious-minded persons, are soon outdated in this field. The editors state in the final paragraph of the preface that their book is not intended to offer final answers, and with this humble beginning they present a series of 20 chapters. It is difficult to comprehend the target audience for this volume. On the assumption that it is intended for medical students, it is too detailed and indefinite. Were it intended for general practitioners and internists, the overwhelming mass of technique and detail precludes its appropriateness for this group. The diabetologists will immediately understand that the ophthalmologist is in the throes of testing new techniques. The ophthalmologists, themselves under pressure to supervise and treat many of these diabetic retinopaths, will be at a loss to decide what to recommend for these patients. The reasons for the latter comments are these. Chapters on the identification of disc feeder vessels, photocoagulation treatment of the macula, and direct treatment of the disc new vessel formation are outdated. Not last within this collection of clinical material are some very fine chapters on basic morphology and physiology. In particular, the chapters on the role of ischemia, retinal blood flow, and pathology of retinal photocoagulation are of extreme importance ot the practitioner and student. Of particular use to the diabetologist and generalist are the wonderful photos of both background and proliferative retinopathy illustrated in chapters 10 and 16. This is a book for persons with special interests in diabetes and, in particular, for those who want to follow closely the evolution of research and treatment for the number one cause of blindness in the United States. In this latter regard, the authors have achieved the hope stated in the preface that "this volume will add to the current store of information and, more importantly, stimulate further research into this major cause of blindness."