All students in this field should seriously consider purchasing this most basic of texts. Library reference copies are seldom adequate, as the present and long-term use is considerable. The descriptions of fundamentals, as well as newer examination features, such as optical coherence tomography and aspects of ocular aberration influenced by surgery, are likely to provide for the needs of many years in practice.
Niceties of objective and subjective refractive assessment, including trial lenses and the importance of effective power, are well presented. Often neglected matters such as near vision influences, eikonometry and anisometropia are most readable.
Repeatability of measurements and effects of tolerances - subjects which are often overlooked - are found on pages 121 and 304. Some other somewhat neglected matters, like dynamic retinoscopy and accommodative responses to stimuli, are also dealt with.
Notable features include a very good summary of several surgical procedures for correcting refractive errors, including useful pointers for further reading, and a concise section dealing with recent work on myopia. Overall, the emphasis is on physical theory but selected perceptual features are elegantly treated in the CD found in the rear cover. While this addition extends uses of the book it does require careful use to gain full benefit. It could have been helpful in connection with Figure 14.6 (Space Eikonometer) for the reader to be prompted to move immediately to Annex 14 on the CD.
Changes in page design adopted in this edition are not usually advantageous and seem to have been used for novelty or to present a more up-to-date impression. The blue printing sometimes actually detracts from visibility and some changes from the former scale of figures are disadvantageous. As in previous editions, few aspects of colour vision have been introduced but there is extensive consideration of normal and abnormal binocular vision. Several important recent developments appear, contributed by new and experienced proponents providing fresh and timely interest. References support the chapters and are supplemented by general bibliography on one page.
Clinical Visual Optics 4th Edition 2007. By Ronald B Rabetts. ISBN 0750688742/9780750688741. Butterworth Heinemann, Price £99.99
Robert Fletcher is emeritus professor at City University
