Reviewer: Patricia M Cisarik, OD, PhD (Southern College of Optometry)
Description: This book provides new students a foundation in geometrical and visual optics as the basis for understanding clinical optics. The previous edition was published in 2014.
Purpose: The book covers all of the topics in the field that are required for licensing examinations as well as the information needed to help students understand the optical principles that apply in clinical areas, such as contact lenses and low vision.
Audience: The main audience includes clinical students of optometry, ophthalmology, and opticianry. Practicing clinicians who may be reviewing for board examinations or other certifications may also find the book useful. The book meets the needs of the intended audience. The author is a professor of optometry and a clinician.
Features: This well-organized book covers the basic concepts in geometrical optics that are used regularly, whether directly or indirectly, in clinical practice. Each of the 17 chapters starts with learning objectives, then proceeds through the learning objectives in order, giving clear, concise diagrams to illustrate important concepts. Topics range from basic optical principles, thin and thick lenses, prisms, and the application of these principles to visual optics (accommodation, magnifiers, telescopes). The book uses bold font and blue font to emphasize important points, which is helpful when scanning the book for review purposes. Mathematical formulas are clearly denoted and explained, and the author gives examples of problems and the explanations of their solutions. Additionally, when mathematical formulas are presented, the chapter ends with a listing of the key formulas, conveniently locating them on one page for review purposes. Tables summarize similar concepts for comparison purposes. Finally, each chapter ends with 5-10 self-assessment problems, with the solutions at the end of the book. Five appendixes and three practice examinations round out the book. The practice examinations each contain approximately 50 questions (with solutions) that assess the reader's mastery of the content. Shortcomings of the book include the lack of references for all chapters (some chapters have references; others do not) and the lack of online, perhaps dynamic/interactive, content.
Assessment: This book is easy to read and user-friendly yet provides a comprehensive guide to learning the basic concepts in optics that are relevant for clinical students. This updated edition includes additional material on thick lenses. This book is comparable to Clinical Optics Made Easy, Wiggins and Pemberton (Crimson House Publishing, 2018), in that both cover similar material and provide clinical examples and problems to solve.
