Steinert’s Cataract Surgery is an excellent 530-page hardback textbook pioneered by the late Professor Roger Steinert. This edition is edited by Professor Sumit Garg and Dr Douglas Koch, both doyens in the field of cataract surgery. The editors have assembled an extensive group of expert contributors, not only from North America, but also from around the world, to add 10 new chapters and update this more international edition.
The book is particularly well organised, being divided into eight logical, progressive sections, including: preoperative considerations, intraocular lenses, anaesthesia and initial steps, nuclear disassembly, astigmatism management, complex cases, intraoperative complications and postoperative complications. Each section is subdivided into several short chapters, each composed of relatively short, easily readable paragraphs with copious high-quality colour illustrations. Each chapter is also accompanied by links to several online videos which provide a veritable library, bringing a very contemporary and easily digestible feel to the whole product.
Each chapter’s well thought-through structure reveals the expertise of its highly respected author. If one had any small gripes, it would be that the typeface is small and, therefore, slightly dense and intimidating to read when you have two to three pages without illustrations; plus, some of the images are clearly from older editions and could be updated. That said, it is an easy read, with most of its 56 chapters readily explored and their key points assimilated within 30–60 minutes. Combing through the reference section, it is notable that most chapters are well referenced and generally very up to date – no small feat in a subject area that changes very quickly.
