M. Wilson – Pediatric Ophthalmology (Plus Video)

Описание

There are encyclopedic reference books available in many sub-specialty areas of
eye care, including pediatric ophthalmology. These large texts are most valuable
when a clinician needs to quickly find a differential diagnosis, a list of treatment
options, or the findings to look for when a particular syndrome is suspected. With
Pediatric Ophthalmology: Current Thought and a Practical Guide, we have not attempted
to match the breadth of those exhaustive reference texts. Instead, we bring
to the pediatric-oriented ophthalmologists a book they will want to read cover-tocover.
We strived for enough depth and perspective in each chapter so that the book
could be considered core reading for trainees and practitioners alike.
When I first met with Marion Philipp, Senior Editor at Springer, to discuss this
project, I told her that this book would be the most well-read book in the pediatric
ophthalmology field because each chapter would be written by a respected thoughtleader
who could give a concise overview of the most current thought and practice
recommendations for that subject. I told her that each author would be recognized
by the reader as one of the go-to people for that subject. I invited a true “who’s
who” in pediatric ophthalmology. By being very persistent and not taking “no” for
an answer, I was successful in getting the most sought-after writers. Once committed,
each has delivered exactly what I had hoped for. The results are chapters
that display the perspective of the author’s years of experience combined with the
practicality needed for the busy clinician. I expect that the readers will absorb each
chapter in its entirety instead of using it only to look up facts and treatments.
Each Chapter starts with a bulleted list of “Core Messages” and ends with “Take
Home Pearls”. The best references are included at the end of each chapter but no attempt
is made to include comprehensive lists of historical references. I am thankful
for this format, suggested by Springer, because it fits well with the intended scope
and purpose of this work.
My Storm Eye Institute editorial partners have, more than anyone, made this
project possible. Rupal Trivedi, MD, MSCR, has been with us at Storm Eye for
nearly a decade. She began as a post-doctoral fellow, first with David Apple,
MD and then with me. She received a Masters in Clinical Research degree here
at MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) and quickly became the go-to
mentor for nearly every research project developed by one of our Ophthalmology
residents or fellows. Her expertise in study design and data management is really
remarkable. For this book, her attention to detail and her command of the literature
gave us what we needed to bring this book to completion. The selection of index
headings and sub-headings for the entire book were painstakingly selected by Dr.
Trivedi singlehandedly
Credit for this book’s uniformity of style and format goes in large part to
Dr. Richard Saunders. It took someone with Rick’s reputation and seniority to accomplish
this task. His command of written English surpasses anything that I have
encountered in the field of ophthalmology, perhaps in part because he was raised by
two professional editors: his father served as Executive Editor for Forbes Magazine
for 20+ years; his mother was Director of Publications for the National Association
of Social Workers. He gently nudged many of the authors towards the uniform content
and style we had envisioned. Rick was also the first pediatric ophthalmologist
in South Carolina and among the first pediatric ophthalmologists in the USA to be
awarded an endowed professorship. He is respected as a leader well beyond the
bounds of the state of South Carolina. His knowledge and experience are superb,
especially with regard to complex strabismus and retinopathy of prematurity.
I have enjoyed working with the dedicated team at Springer. Marion Philipp,
Senior Editor for Clinical Medicine was mentioned earlier. She initiated the project
and shepherded it through a successful completion. Martina Himberger, Desk Editor,
was in constant communication with us and gave the project her full support. I
know she has many projects but she made us feel as though we were her first and
only concern. Le-tex publishing services completed the copyediting (thanks to Ute
Noatsch and Annegret Krap) and production editing (thanks to Petra Moews) work
with precision and speed. The entire team assembled at Springer was first-rate and
I thank them personally.
My final thanks must go to my family for supporting me and always trying to
keep me grounded and balanced. They (my family) come first, no matter how exciting
the world of ophthalmology becomes. My wife, Donna, is the “CEO” of our
household, making it possible for me to run a large academic department and the
Storm Eye Institute. She is an expert at motivating me to be my best for the patients
I serve and yet reminding me when it is time to let it go and spend time at home.
She has taught me that only with balance can there be long-lasting meaningful success.
My son, Leland, has taught me more about being a good doctor than anyone in
my formal education. Despite optic nerve damage and cerebral palsy, he has a way
of bringing out a smile in everyone he meets. He believes, correctly, that everyone
would be healthier if they had at least one hug every day.
For those in Pediatric Ophthalmology, I urge you to commit to lifelong learning,
challenge conventional wisdom, and have fun. We have the privilege to take
care of the eyes of children who will lead the world through many future crises. Do
your job well and inspire others to follow. Don’t believe the old adage that nothing
new ever comes out of Pediatric Ophthalmology. The authors of the chapters in this
book believe that with constant innovation and high quality clinical investigations
tempered by a careful “do-no-harm” motto, the field of Pediatric Ophthalmology
will be constantly evolving.