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| BOOK REVIEW |
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| Year : 1955 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 2 | Page : 46-47 |
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Cataract surgery- Its evolution and practice
Bidyadhar
Civil surgeon, Orissa, India
Correspondence Address:
Bidyadhar
Civil surgeon, Orissa
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
How to cite this article:
Bidyadhar. Cataract surgery- Its evolution and practice. Indian J Ophthalmol 1955;3:46-7 |
By Dr. Bidyadhar, M.B.B.S., Civil Surgeon, Orissa, India. First Edition with Illustrations. Published by Shrimati Rameshanandini Devi, Sonpur Raj, Orissa, India, 1955. Pg. 324.
The subject of cataract has perhaps offered the widest scope for ophthalmic writings, and the author's choice of this subject gives him a full scope to deal with this subject in detail. However complete one hopes to make this subject, this can never be achieved as can be seen from several glaring omissions which one would have liked to have included when an attempt is made to present a complete study about the treatment of this subject, for example, (1) omission of O'Brian's technique for akinesia, (2) hot air sterilisation and modern chemical sterilisation methods, (3) absence of a discussion of ab-externo incision as practised by many surgeons to-day, (4) the upper pole grasp method in the section of extraction, (5) cyclodiathermy treatment for post-operative glaucoma, (6) there is no description of the congenital dislocation of the lens in the chapter on dislocations of the lens and a few others.
However it is a very interesting type of work, especially the history of cataract extractions traced from over 3000 years ago taking its origin with the great Sushruta of India. The author has brought out the pioneering work of old Indian surgeons, like Sushruta and Vagbhatta, Ammar and Ali bin Isa the Arab surgeons and it is interesting to note how these surgeons appreciated the value of asepsis, hemostasis, pre and post operative care and diet, principles which have not materially altered through the ages. The first part of this book which deals with the ancient history is an elaboration of certain very interesting articles written by the author previously in various journals, and the matter is described in a simple, easy and interest-sustaining style. However, in the description of the various "couching" techniques, one finds missing the technique of couching through the sclera, reaching the lens from behind, as is practised even to-day by some of the couchers in the middle and South of India.
The second part of the book which deals with the development of cataract surgery from Daviel downwards is again interesting and helpful as far as the historical section goes. When it comes to modern cataract surgery it becomes a collection of opinions of various writers on the subject. This perhaps becomes as confusing as when one takes a trip round the world, sees all types of cataract surgery, and wonders which is the best method of dealing with cataract. The author has however succeeded in presenting a large amount of available data on this subject for a beginner's consideration and trial, so that he can pick and choose for himself whatever appeals to him the most. Such a book should have been a wonderful opportunity for airing personal experiences and not opinions, and some of the pages devoted to details of current operation. techniques, could have easily and more profitably been substituted by actual experiences.
A word may be said about diagrams. The photographs have been taken from too great a distance to render the details of the operation techniques clear. Some of the hand drawings have been poorly drawn, and the blocks made are not of the best quality. This unfortunately mars the instructional value of such diagrams.
We offer our congratulations to the author for handling a new type of subject which has required tremendous research in ancient literature, and presenting the same in an easily available, readable and interesting manner.
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