Vitreoretinal Surgery: Strategies and Tactics

This book is exceptional in explaining not only when and how but also why vitrectomy is performed – an additional focus that will help trainee surgeons to develop their own critical thinking. Uniquely, the book’s first part describes “the life of the vitreoretinal surgeon” to help residents decide whether the field is indeed suitable for them, and if yes, how they can chart their own course in the absence of a formal fellowship program. 

The second and third parts discuss the fundamentals in VR surgery, such as the general philosophy underlying vitrectomy, equipment, examination, timing, anesthesia, the surgeon’s posture, and the organization of the operating room. The final two parts are dedicated to surgical strategy and tissue tactics, reviewing the principles of surgical maneuvers and the practical sides of diagnosis-specific issues. An appendix is also included, which offers additional guideposts for the aspiring trainee surgeon, including a description of how an ideal mentor should act in surgery. The book is written in an easy-to-follow format with bullet points and text boxes, and has well over 250 color images and line drawings as well as over 60 tables.

“This comprehensive guide to vitreoretinal surgery offers insights into the art of surgery from an experienced surgeon. … It is written for beginning surgeons, resident ophthalmologists, or aspiring vitreoretinal surgeons. … The illustrations are helpful in understanding the discussion of surgical technique. The surgical technique section is laid out by clinical indication, making it useful as a potential reference.” (William Rhoades, Doody's Book Reviews, February, 2016)

Ferenc Kuhn, MD, PhD, is an ophthalmologist/vitreoretinal specialist whose primary research interest is ocular trauma, in which he is a renowned leader worldwide. He is the Immediate Past President of the American Society of Ocular Trauma and current President of the International Society of Ocular Trauma. Dr. Kuhn is Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Visiting Professor at the European University, Belgrade, Serbia. His past positions include Director of Clinical Research for the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education (Jacksonville, FL, USA). During the 1990s Dr. Kuhn and his colleagues revolutionized surgery of the macula, proving that traction maculopathy is best treated by removing the diseased surface layer of the macula, and standardized the language of ocular trauma (the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology, BETT, endorsed by the leading ophthalmologic societies worldwide).  Dr. Kuhn also developed the only objective method to prognosticate the likely outcome of a serious eye injury (Ocular Trauma Score, OTS). He has twice received the R. Buckler Award from the American Society of Retina Specialists and is the recipient of Senior Achievement Awards from the American Society of Retina Specialists and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Kuhn has delivered more than 1,600 scientific presentations on vitreoretinal surgery and ocular trauma at international, national, and regional meetings. He has edited four books, including, in 2008, the Springer book Ocular Traumatology, in which he was the principal author and which has since been translated into multiple languages. In addition he has written 91 book chapters in 29 books and 137 scientific articles.