Book review. The epidemiology of eye disease
Edited by: Gordon J. Johnson, Darwin C Minassian and Robert Weale
Publisher: Chapman and Hall Medical
This splendid and much needed book was written to answer the needs of postgraduate students on courses at the International Centre for Eye Health. It will be of great value to clinical and public health personnel involved in prevention of blindness and eye care programmes worldwide. The subjects covered are applicable in both developing and industrialised economies.
There are three sections to the book. The first section deals with epidemiological methodology, starting with basic principles and guidelines, through calculating sample sizes and planning an eye survey to data analysis and reporting.
The middle and largest section covers the epidemiology of specific diseases with a chapter on each one. The conditions are cataract, trachoma, glaucoma, vitamin A deficiency, onchocerciasis, leprosy, HIV /AIDS, diabetes and age-related macular degeneration. Other subjects which also have their own chapters are childhood blindness, eye injuries and conditions of the outer eye excluding those mentioned above.
Section three is a practical guide on how to get going on prevention of blindness programmes. The processes are detailed for planning, management and evaluation of eye-care services and each stage is illustrated with practical examples. The book is rounded off with the roles of both the WHO programme for prevention of blindness and the international non-governmental organisations. Finally the scene is set for intervention in industrialised countries.
Copies available from: International Resource Centre, ICEH, 11-43 Bath St, London EC1V 9EL
Fax: 00 44 (0171) 250 3207
Price UK£34/US$62 in developing countries. UK£45/US$82 elsewhere.
Ordering Information: Please make international cheques/orders payable to UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON. Only cheques drawn on UK£ or US$ banks can be accepted