Ophthalmology for the Primary Care Physician

Book excerpt: Written by ophthalmologists and carefully reviewed by primary care consultants, this new reference provides the primary care physician with exactly the information needed to either diagnose an eye disorder or identify the signs and symptoms to refer the treatment to an ophthalmologist. The text begins with chapters on performing the general examination of the eye and differential diagnosis. Then each region of the eye is covered, first with a discussion of anatomy in order to define any abnormalities, followed by signs and symptoms of various disorders of that region. A treatment plan is then offered, or a recommendation to refer to an ophthalmologist. Hundreds of high-quality, color illustrations are used throughout to aid the reader in arriving at an accurate diagnosis. For ease of access, an easy-to-follow, bulleted format has been used throughout, designed to assist with quick recognition and diagnosis of ophthalmic disorders. Full-color illustrations provide an excellent diagnostic tool. Topics are organized by eye region and/or symptom recognition, further aiding the non-specialist in recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. Chapter authors have been paired with primary care consultants to ensure relevance to the needs of the primary care practitioner.